Police Officer, Eight Others Killed In Renewed Herders’ Attack On Benue Communities

At least nine people, including a police officer, have been killed in a fresh wave of violence reportedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

The affected communities include Okwutanobe, Okpokpolo, Olegagbani, and Ikpele.

Eyewitnesses claim the attackers launched their assault from neighbouring Kogi State last Friday, with the violence persisting over several days. A local source, who requested anonymity, recounted that:

• Two people were killed in Okwutanobe on Friday.

• One person died in Okpokpolo on Saturday.

• Another was killed in Olegagbani on Monday.

• On Tuesday, Ikpele came under attack, where four civilians and a police officer were killed.

“People are fleeing their homes in fear, not knowing where the next attack will be,” the resident added.

Agatu council chairman James Melvin confirmed the casualties, stating that four deaths occurred across Okwutanobe, Okpokpolo, and Olegagbani, while five others, including a police officer, were killed in Ikpele.

Melvin suggested the attacks could be reprisals by herders over claims that their cattle had been rustled.

Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, SP Udeme Edet, stated he had yet to receive a full briefing on the incident but assured that security deployments had been made to the affected areas.

Two Youths Killed on Oju-Awajir Road

In a separate development, tensions have escalated between the Igede-speaking communities of Oju and Obi LGAs and neighbouring Tiv communities in Gwer East and Konshisha LGAs following the killing of two men—Jonathan Ogah and Gabriel Ogodo—on the Oju-Awajir road.

The victims, both from Oju LGA and travelling on motorcycles to Makurdi, were allegedly ambushed and killed by suspected Tiv youths in Ulam community, Gwer East. One of the men was recently married.

Their deaths have triggered unrest in the region, forcing travellers, including students from the College of Education, Oju, to avoid the busy Oju-Aliade route.

The killings have further strained relations between the Tiv and Igede communities, who have long clashed over ownership of disputed farmlands—a conflict successive governments have failed to resolve.

Governor Alia Condemns Killings, Issues Ultimatum

Reacting to the violence, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, condemned the attacks in both Agatu and Oju. He also addressed a separate incident in Nyifon community, Buruku LGA, where violence erupted following a boat mishap, allegedly involving youths from Mbayaka community.

The governor issued a 48-hour ultimatum to security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for all the recent attacks.

“These incidents are unacceptable. No individual or group has the right to invade or harm another community,” the governor stated.

He directed security agencies to work closely with traditional rulers and thoroughly search the affected areas to bring perpetrators to justice. Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and protecting lives across Benue State.

Lawmakers, Youth Groups Call for Peace

Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South and serving as Senate Minority Leader, condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric and unacceptable”. In a statement by his media aide, Emmanuel John, the senator urged the state government to urgently intervene and bring lasting peace to the Gwer/Konshisha/Oju axis.

Similarly, the Ito Youths Association (ITA), a body representing Igede-speaking youths, condemned the violence. In a joint statement by its National President Andrew Abi and Secretary Ijoga Ipesi, the group lamented that the killings have again disrupted the fragile peace in the region.