Renewed Herdsmen Attacks Leave Benue Communities on Edge

Sunday Oche, chairman of Ado Local Government Area in Benue State, says renewed attacks by armed herdsmen are leaving communities unsettled and afraid. He explained that several residents have been injured or displaced in recent days.

Speaking with reporters in Makurdi on Monday, Oche said the attackers stormed Ijigban, Ulayi, and Utonkon. They reportedly ambushed mourners, attacked farmers, wounded at least two people with machetes, and stole three motorcycles.

According to him, the worst incident happened over the weekend when mourners transporting a corpse from an Igumale morgue to Ulayi were intercepted. Several people were wounded by machetes and gunshots.

“These attackers descended on innocent mourners. They macheted two of our illustrious sons, Philip Okpekwu and Dr. Benedict Ogaba, and even went away with their motorcycle. It was a tragic and heartless assault,” he said.

Oche added that Okpekwu, who sustained severe injuries, was first taken to the General Hospital in Igumale before being moved to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi due to his worsening condition. “Just this morning, I received a report that Philip Okpekwu is now bleeding from his nose. His condition remains critical,” he added.

He noted that security teams and local vigilantes had traced the attackers toward the Akparata axis of Ulayi and mounted surveillance to prevent further incursions.

Oche also mentioned that some herders involved in assaults on Utonkon were arrested. “Those herders have been arrested and they agreed to pay compensation for the crops they destroyed. But this is not enough. The attacks are taking a new and dangerous dimension,” he warned.

He urged both federal and state governments to deploy more security personnel to the affected communities.

When contacted, DSP Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, said she would provide updates once available.