Suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly attack on Ijaha Ikobi, a community in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, killing four people, including two Nigerian soldiers. The attack took place in the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, around 3:30 a.m.
The victims include two civilians, identified as Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi, and two unnamed soldiers. The attackers also carted away two AK-47 rifles and one submachine gun (SMG) from the slain soldiers.
Chairman of Apa LGA, Mr. Adam Ogwola, confirmed the incident. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Yes, the herders attacked around 3:30 a.m. I got a call about the incident, but efforts to reach some people in the area failed initially. Later, we confirmed that two soldiers were killed. The bodies of the two civilians were found this morning.”
Ogwola explained that security agencies have since moved into the area to prevent further attacks. “Soldiers and police are now working to restore calm and investigate what happened,” he said.
He also noted the cultural practice of the local people, who typically do not keep corpses in mortuaries unless necessary. As a result, the civilian victims were buried within 24 hours of their death. The bodies of the soldiers were reportedly moved to Ugbokpo or possibly Makurdi.
The attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence blamed on suspected armed herders in Benue State and other parts of the Middle Belt. Many communities in Benue have experienced repeated attacks, leading to displacement and fear among residents.
At the time of this report, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Benue State Police Command had released an official statement regarding the killings.
The tragic incident has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of rural communities and the rising toll of herder-related violence in Nigeria. Locals are calling for stronger security measures and a more proactive response from federal authorities.
Benue State has long been a flashpoint for farmer-herder conflicts, with dozens of lives lost in recent years due to clashes over land, grazing rights, and security breakdowns.
