At least 10 people were confirmed dead, following a Sunday evening attack on Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state and Agatu by suspected armed herdsmen.
The incident which was said to have left several others missing, property destroyed and rendered many displaced.
A local resident Titus Oche Ojobo described the incident as devastating, noting that the attack has thrown the community into renewed fear and uncertainty.
He said many residents fled their homes in panic, worried about further violence.
“The situation is fluid, with details still unfolding as security agencies and community members have continued to move into the bushes to rescue people and assess the scale of the damage,” Ojobo explained.
He stressed that the assault is part of the persistent insecurity plaguing the area.
Former deputy chairman of Agatu LGA, John Ikulono, corroborated the reports, stating that nine people were killed in Apa, while another farmer returning from his field was ambushed and killed in Agatu.
In a press release issued on Monday, member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on National Inland Waterways, Chief Pst Ojotu Ojema, strongly condemned the attack.
He described the killings as “barbaric, senseless and a tragic reminder of the persistent security challenges confronting communities in the Federal Constituency and across the state.”
Ojema expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Edikwu-Ankpali community.
He decried the recurring wave of violent attacks in Apa and Agatu, noting that the continued bloodshed has caused untold hardship, fear and displacement among law-abiding citizens.
Calling for urgent action, Ojema urged security agencies to take immediate and decisive measures to halt the carnage.
“It is unacceptable that our people continue to live in fear, cannot access their homes or farms, and suffer repeated attacks without adequate protection.
“Security agencies must wake up to their responsibilities and bring an end to these killings once and for all,” he stated.
He further appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts in addressing the root causes of insecurity in Benue state and ensure perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
