Two killed, many injured as suspected herdsmen launch fresh attack on Benue community
Two Killed in Attack on Benue State Community
APA, Benue State — At least two individuals have died following an armed assault on the Akpete community in the Apa Local Government Area, prompting widespread fear and confusion among residents. The attack, attributed to suspected armed herdsmen, occurred on Friday evening.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants first entered the community around midday but were initially confronted by local youths, which forced them to retreat temporarily. However, the attackers returned in the evening with greater numbers, moving from house to house in search of victims. Many residents had already fled by that time.
One victim, who was reportedly attacked after returning to his home to collect personal belongings, was identified as Matthew Ochanga. A second victim, Isaac Adanu, was killed during the renewed assault in a nearby location. Several others sustained serious injuries, according to local sources.
“The truth is that we are tired of these attacks. Many of our villages have been deserted. They want to take over our ancestral land. Our people can no longer go to their farms to produce food, and we have become helpless,” said a resident.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed it received reports of the attack and stated that an operation to protect the area was successfully executed. A spokesperson for the Command, DSP Udeme Edet, noted that officers from the Rapid Response Squad were deployed to bring the situation under control.
“The attack was repelled through the efforts of operatives of the Benue State Police Command,” the statement read. “The general security situation in Apa Local Government Area remains calm.”
Additionally, the police reported that reconstruction work is ongoing for a bridge linking the communities of Ugbokpo, Idogbu, Ochumeku, and Ikobi, which had previously been destroyed by suspected herdsmen. This reconstruction is being conducted under heavy security.
In a related incident on the same day, police operatives arrested a suspect in Ukum Local Government Area while he was allegedly transporting ammunition. The suspect, known as Saamoga or Aleki, was apprehended following intelligence reports that he was carrying live rounds on a commercial motorcycle. During a search, officers recovered 117 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in socks within his handbag, along with other items.
Reports indicate that the suspect sustained a gunshot wound while trying to evade capture and later died while receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Zaki-Biam. Preliminary findings suggest the ammunition was destined for Taraba State.
Benue State Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari commended the officers involved for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-driven policing across the state. He urged the public to remain calm and assist law enforcement agencies with timely information to enhance crime prevention efforts.
