At least two residents were killed on Friday following a renewed attack on Akpete community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen.
The evening assault, which threw the community into panic, also left several persons injured, while many others were reported missing as residents fled their homes for safety.
A community source told PUNCH that the attackers first arrived in the area around midday but were repelled by local youths, forcing them to withdraw temporarily.
“They came around noon, but the youths confronted them and they retreated. Sadly, they returned around 6pm with a larger force and began moving from house to house searching for people. By then, most residents had already escaped,” the source said.
According to the source, one of the victims was killed after briefly returning to his house to collect personal belongings, while his motorcycle was set on fire by the attackers. Another resident was also shot dead in a nearby location during the renewed invasion.
The deceased were identified as Matthew Ochanga and Isaac Adanu.
The source added that several other residents sustained serious injuries, lamenting that persistent attacks had forced many communities in the area to abandon their homes.
“We are exhausted. Many villages have been deserted. Our people can no longer farm, and it feels like there is an attempt to take over our ancestral lands,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that it received a distress report on an attack by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen on Edikwu Icho, also in Apa LGA, but noted that the assault was successfully repelled.
In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, the police said operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad swiftly responded to the incident and restored calm.
“The attack was repelled through the efforts of operatives of the Benue State Police Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad. The general security situation in Apa Local Government Area remains calm,” the statement read.
The police also disclosed that reconstruction work was ongoing on the bridge linking Ugbokpo, Idogbu, Ochumeku and Ikobi communities, which was earlier destroyed by suspected herdsmen. The project, the Command said, was being executed under tight security.
In a related development, the police revealed that operatives intercepted a suspect allegedly conveying ammunition in Ukum Local Government Area on the same Friday.
DSP Edet identified the suspect as Saamoga, also known as Aleki, who was arrested at Tse Dubem following intelligence reports that he was transporting live ammunition on a commercial motorcycle from Gbagir to Zaki-Biam.
“A search on the suspect led to the recovery of 117 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside socks in his handbag. Charms and a mobile phone were also recovered,” the statement said.
READ ALSO
- AFCON 2027Q: Super Eagles will not underrate Guinea-Bissau — Chelle
- MUSWEN Congratulates Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, on Crescent University Honorary Doctorate
- 2027: Tompolo rallies Nasarawa for Tinubu, says reforms need consolidation
- ‘Post The Dead Body’ — Phyna Challenges Blessing CEO Over Son’s Reported Death
- AFCON 2027Q: How Simon inspired my goal against Madagascar — Usor
The suspect reportedly sustained a gunshot wound while attempting to escape and later died while receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Zaki-Biam. Preliminary findings indicated that the ammunition was allegedly being transported to Taraba State.
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and assured residents of the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing across the state.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
