Armed attackers struck Olahimu village in Ogoli Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, early Tuesday morning. A 15-year-old boy lost his life, and a significant number of cattle were taken during the assault. One worker, Saidu Musa, remains missing following the incident.
The family of the late Ardo Risku Muhammad, former Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, were the targets of this violence. The teenager killed has been identified as Muhammad Isiyaku. While initially 500 cattle were reported stolen, a search operation recovered many of the animals, though some were found dead or are still unaccounted for.
Three others who had fled the scene during the 7 a.m. attack—17-year-old Muhammed Ismaiel, 13-year-old Muhammed Hamza, and worker Abu Ali—were eventually found safe. The family has urged the state government and security agencies, including the Police and DSS, to find the missing worker and secure the area against further violence.
Otukpo Local Government Chairman Maxwell Ogiri confirmed he received reports of the attack while it was occurring and alerted local authorities. He expressed concern over increasing banditry in the region, noting that recent thefts at a private ranch in Jericho village have caused widespread fear, forcing many residents to abandon their homes and farms during the peak harvest season. As of now, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, has not yet received a formal report regarding the incident.
