Villagers flee as suspected armed herdsmen attack Benue community

Residents of Ankpechi community in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State were forced to flee on Thursday after suspected armed herdsmen reportedly invaded the area.

The community, situated along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road, is located near Ondo-Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Area, where a similar attack earlier this week left one person dead and another injured.

Residents told DAILY POST reporter by telephone that the attackers stormed the community at about 8:00 a.m., firing gunshots into the air and sending people running for safety.

According to the residents, one person sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The assailants also allegedly broke into shops and food storage facilities, making away with food items.

A resident, who identified himself as Adole, said he was at a nearby school when panic erupted as people fled in different directions.

“When the dust settled following the quick intervention of security operatives, it was discovered that one person sustained serious gunshot wounds, while food items were looted by the armed terrorists from shops within the area,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, said the attackers invaded Ankpechi on Thursday morning.

“Yes, there was an attack this morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. by armed herdsmen. They came to Ankpechi, which is in Oglewu Ward, shooting sporadically.

“They shot one person and the community scampered for safety. What they did was to burgle the shops around the area and cart away goods and food items.

“That is to show that they live very close to us. They came to attack and take food from our communities. They cannot go to buy food, so they came to Ohimini to collect food and used force to take it.

“The people saw them; they were armed herdsmen. As we speak, the person they shot has been taken to hospital, and we are hopeful that he will survive.

“As regards the situation, I have alerted the Governor, and security personnel were immediately deployed to the area. Many security operatives are there, while others are combing the surrounding bushes,” Adole said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not officially confirmed the incident.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, through calls and text messages were unsuccessful.