TWO DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED AS SUSPECTED HERDSMEN ATTACK BENUE COMMUNITY

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By: Muftau Fatimo

At least two persons have been killed in a fresh attack on Akpete community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen.

The assault, which took place on Friday evening, also left several residents injured, while others were declared missing as panic spread across the community.

A resident of Akpete said the attackers initially invaded the area around midday but were repelled by local youths, forcing them to retreat temporarily.

“They came around noon, but our youths resisted them. Unfortunately, they returned around 6 p.m. in much larger numbers and began going from house to house in search of victims. By that time, most residents had already fled,” the source said.

According to the resident, the assailants later killed a man who had briefly returned to his home to retrieve personal belongings and also set his motorcycle ablaze.

Another victim was reportedly killed at a nearby location during the second phase of the attack.

The deceased were identified as Matthew Ochanga and Isaac Adanu, while several others sustained serious injuries.

Expressing frustration, the source said repeated attacks had forced many communities to abandon their homes, adding that residents could no longer access their farmlands, raising fears of land seizure and worsening hardship.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed receiving reports of an attack by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen on Edikwu Icho, also within Apa LGA, but stated that the incident was successfully contained.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, the police said officers from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were quickly deployed to the area, bringing the situation under control.

“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 said.

The police further revealed that reconstruction of the bridge linking Ugbokpo, Idogbu, Ochumeku and Ikobi communities previously destroyed by suspected herdsmen was ongoing.