Gunmen killed youth leader Sunday Ogoh in a pre-dawn raid on Ondo community in the Ugboju district of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, on Tuesday, July 15, 2026. The attack occurred around 5 am, less than 48 hours after 18 residents were killed in the nearby Otukpo-Nobi community, also in Otukpo LGA.
Details of the Attack
According to Daily Trust, residents reported that the gunmen entered the community and opened fire indiscriminately. In addition to Ogoh's death, another person sustained critical injuries. Several families have fled their homes in fear of further attacks, a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists.
The Otukpo LGA Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident and stated that a joint team of security operatives responded to contain the situation. However, their intervention came too late to save Ogoh's life. Ogiri said the security personnel are now actively pursuing the attackers, with a coordinated manhunt underway across the area.
Police Confirmation and Response
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, separately confirmed the attack. Edet added that police operatives have been deployed to track down those responsible for the killing.
Escalating Violence in Otukpo LGA
The assault on Ondo community follows a deadly incident in Otukpo-Nobi, where gunmen killed 18 people fewer than 48 hours earlier. The back-to-back attacks have deepened anxiety among residents of Otukpo LGA, many of whom are increasingly unwilling to remain in their homes amid the ongoing insecurity.
In a separate incident, suspected bandits attacked and killed former Benue State Secretary to the State Government, David Salifu, along the Wukari-Makurdi road. Assailants ordered Salifu out of his vehicle and shot him after he resisted their instructions. Salifu died in the early hours of Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
Additionally, Legit.ng reported that gunmen killed three people in Anyiase community, Benue State, during a recent deadly attack. The attack followed another incident in Okpokwu Local Government Area less than 24 hours prior. According to a former Supervisory Councillor, Akerigba Lawrence, the victims included two farmers.
