A resident was killed on Tuesday morning when armed individuals, believed to be herdsmen, launched an assault on Ondo village in the Ugboju District of Otukpo, Benue State. The raid triggered widespread panic, forcing villagers to desert their homes under a barrage of gunfire.
This violent event occurred less than two days following a lethal raid on the Otukpo-Nobi community within the same region, where over 18 lives were lost. That previous tragedy has significantly heightened anxiety regarding the failing security climate in the southern part of Benue State.
Local authorities noted that the gunmen arrived early in the morning and fired weapons recklessly, creating chaos for the local population. While total damages remain unconfirmed, the assault has intensified the distress of a community already reeling from recent violence.
Maxwell Ogiri, the Otukpo Local Government Area chairman, confirmed the incident, stating that security forces arrived quickly and pushed back the attackers. While the operation resulted in one death, Ogiri noted that security personnel are currently searching the nearby forests for the perpetrators, adding that the area is now under control.
Meanwhile, DSP Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, stated that her office is still waiting for a comprehensive report from field officers before commenting further.
