Gunmen have killed three people who were returning from a burial in Benue State, Nigeria, and kidnapped two others in a fresh attack. The incident occurred near the Sati-Ikov community in Ushongo Local Government Area on Saturday night, April 25, 2026.
Details of the Attack
The victims were identified as Bem Msughter from Mbakyombo, Daav-Ikov; Aondo Chia from Mbamegh, Daa-Ikov; and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor, Daav-Ikov. According to a local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, the mourners were ambushed by local militias as they made their way back from the burial.
“Some mourners who were returning from a burial were attacked close to our community, Sati-Ikov, on Saturday night by local militias. Three of them were killed, and two others, a male and a female, were kidnapped,” the resident said.
Lawmaker Condemns Rising Violence
Simon Gabo, the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, confirmed the attack. He identified the kidnapped victims as Aondongu Amos, a POS operator at Sati-Ikov, and Mrs. Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine trader also at Sati-Ikov. Gabo expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, stating that the community has been turned into a battlefield by local militias over the past two weeks.
“I received a call from my people today (Sunday) at about 4 am that yesterday (Saturday) night, they went for a burial and on their way back, they ran into armed men. The armed men shot and killed three of them and collected their bags. They also robbed some residents there and kidnapped two people. The victims were all young men. Apart from that, we have had one or two such incidents every other week,” Gabo said.
Pattern of Attacks in Benue
This attack is part of a series of violent incidents in Benue State. Earlier, gunmen killed five people, including a traditional ruler, in Agatu Local Government Area. The assailants reportedly spent about 20 minutes attacking the traditional ruler’s residence before fleeing. Local officials confirmed the deadly incident, but the Benue State police command denied knowledge of the attack.
In another incident, armed herdsmen killed nine people in a coordinated attack in the Agena community. The attackers destroyed markets and homes, and several residents remain missing following the pre-dawn assault. Governor Hycinth Alia condemned the attack and warned against the ongoing pattern of violence in the north-central state.
Community in Fear
Residents of Sati-Ikov and surrounding areas are living in fear as the attacks continue. Gabo alleged that the gunmen often cross the river from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to Ushongo to launch their assaults. He called for increased security measures to protect the community and prevent further loss of life.
