Gunmen have killed three people and kidnapped two others who were returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov Council Ward of Ushongo Local Government Area, Benue State. The attack occurred on Saturday night, April 25, 2026, near the community.
Attack Details
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, reported that the mourners were ambushed by local militias. “Some mourners returning from a burial were attacked close to our community, Sati-Ikov, on Saturday night by local militias,” the source said. “Three of them were killed, and two others—a male and a female—were kidnapped.”
Lawmaker Confirms Incident
Simon Gabo, the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, confirmed the attack on Sunday. He condemned the escalating activities of local militias, stating that the community had become a battlefield over the past two weeks, resulting in multiple deaths.
Gabo identified the deceased as Bem Msughter from Mbakyombo, Daav-Ikov; Aondo Chia from Mbamegh, Daa-Ikov; and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor, Daav-Ikov. The kidnapped individuals were identified as Aondongu Amos of Mbanyion, a POS operator at Sati-Ikov, and Mrs Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine trader at Sati-Ikov.
Pattern of Violence
Gabo, who also serves as the Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the State House of Assembly, noted that three people had been killed in the community two weeks prior. “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,” he narrated. “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.”
Cross-Border Attacks
Gabo alleged that the armed men typically crossed the river from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to Ushongo to launch attacks. “So they cross from there to our side, attack and return to their side. It is a mountainous area with large forests,” he added.
The lawmaker stated that he had reported the incident to the police, and the Divisional Police Officer had deployed security personnel to the community on Sunday morning.
