30 missing, several dead: Suspected armed herdsmen unleash fresh terror on Benue communities

Several persons have been killed and approximately 30 others remain missing following fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, with gunmen returning to Agadagba community on Saturday evening after an earlier repulsion to carry out a deadly assault.

They were turned back once. They came back with bullets.

Suspected armed herdsmen launched fresh attacks on communities in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday, killing several persons and leaving approximately 30 others unaccounted for, according to sources on the ground.

As reported by Daily Post, the violence began when the attackers invaded Ochobo community, where two persons were killed. The gunmen then attempted to storm Agadagba community but were reportedly repelled by residents in an initial confrontation.

The respite was short-lived.

The armed group returned on Saturday evening and opened fire on Agadagba community, sending residents fleeing in panic into surrounding bushes. Several people were killed in the renewed assault, while around 30 others remain missing and unaccounted for.

A resident, speaking to reporters from a hiding place, described the terrifying scene. “They came shooting sporadically. Many people were killed, while several others escaped into the bush. As I speak with you, about 30 people are still missing, and we don’t know whether they are alive or dead,” the source said.

The fate of the missing remains unknown as of the time of this report, with no confirmation yet of whether those who fled into the bush are alive or among the casualties.

Benue State has been a recurring flashpoint for violent clashes between farming communities and armed groups, with Ohimini Local Government Area among the areas repeatedly targeted. The attacks come amid heightened security tensions across the state, which prompted Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to visit Makurdi this week for a stakeholders’ security meeting.

Security agencies had not publicly commented on the latest Ohimini attacks as of the time of filing this report. No arrests have been announced and no official casualty figures have been confirmed by authorities.