At least three people have been killed and two others injured in fresh attacks by suspected armed herders on the communities of Elulu and Agadagba in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. The attacks occurred on Friday and Saturday nights, just two days after the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited the state and pledged intensified security operations.
Local Government Chairman Confirms Casualties
Gabriel Adole, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government, confirmed the attacks to journalists on Sunday. He detailed that gunmen first invaded Elulu village on Friday, killing one person and assaulting another before stealing his Bajaj motorcycle. The following day, the attackers targeted Agadagba community, where they attempted to rustle cattle. Community members resisted, leading to the attackers shooting one person in the leg. On Saturday, the herders returned and killed two more individuals in Agadagba.
"So far, three lives have been lost in the attacks. They injured two persons, the one whose bike they collected and the one they shot while attempting to rustle his cows. Both of them are still in the hospital receiving treatment," Adole said.
Resident Describes Attack
A resident of Agadagba, who identified himself only as Ameh, recounted that the attackers attempted to rustle cattle before opening fire on residents who tried to stop them. "The Fulani herdsmen attacked our community yesterday night and attempted to rustle cows. Some youths repelled them, but because the attackers were heavily armed, they shot at the youths and two of them died," he said.
Security Measures Deployed
Adole stated that community vigilantes and other security personnel have been deployed to the affected communities to prevent further attacks. He noted that Governor Hyacinth Alia had directed additional security support for the area. "The governor has actually mobilised me and I have also mobilised the community vigilantes because it is only the vigilantes that can get to where they are. I can assure you that with the adequate security provided by the governor in Ohimini, we will get those perpetrators. These marauders cannot drive us out of our land," he said.
IGP's Visit and Ongoing Concerns
The fresh attacks come barely 48 hours after the Inspector-General of Police visited Benue for an operational assessment and strategic security meeting with Governor Alia and other stakeholders. During the visit on Thursday, Disu pledged intensified intelligence-led policing and urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies, assuring them that informants' identities would be protected. Governor Alia renewed his call for the establishment of state police, arguing that officers with local knowledge would respond more effectively to security threats.
Earlier attacks in July killed at least eight people in Otukpo-Nobi and Akpachi communities, leading to protests and calls for intervention. Amnesty International called for an independent investigation. The latest assault also follows the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Risku Mohammed, and his associate in June, which raised fears of reprisal attacks.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment.
