On Tuesday morning, citizens living in the Ondo district of Ugboju, situated within the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, abandoned their residences due to an assault by armed individuals suspected to be herdsmen. The aggressors arrived during the early hours, initiating gunfire that drove the local population to seek refuge elsewhere.
Hon. Jimmy Nart, an indigenous resident and the Labour Party candidate for the 2027 House of Assembly election, confirmed that the violence was active as of his report. Nart reached out to community members via a message warning them of a raid by Fulani terrorists and urging them to prioritize their personal safety.
This incident occurs merely two days after a separate incursion in the Otukpo-Nobi area, also located in the same local government district, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 18 individuals. While the total number of victims from the current Ondo attack remains unconfirmed, the atmosphere in the region is thick with apprehension as families continue to depart in search of security.
The Benue State Police Command has yet to provide an official statement. DSP Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the police, did not provide a response to repeated inquiries regarding the matter.
