Suspected Herders Kill Four in Benue Community Ambush

Suspected armed herders have killed four people in a fresh attack on Aila Odugheho community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning while the victims were walking along the Aila Odugheho road to a nearby village.

A resident of the area said the suspected herders ambushed the travellers and opened fire on them. The deceased were identified as Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowehi, and Ochoyoda Adejo.

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the attack and said four people lost their lives. He explained that due to the presence of security operatives in the area, armed herders have found it increasingly difficult to invade communities directly and have instead resorted to ambush tactics.

Ejeh noted that clearance operations were already underway to rid the community forest of bandits. He added that security agencies, including the Divisional Police Officer and local vigilantes, were actively conducting operations in the area.

When reached for comment, the state Police Public Relations Officer said she had yet to receive a report on the incident, adding that efforts to contact the Agatu Divisional Police Officer had been unsuccessful.

The latest killings come amid a surge of attacks in the local government area. Penultimate Thursday, gunmen invaded Olegabulu community in the same Agatu LGA, killing a traditional ruler, his wife, his son, and two others.