Fresh Benue bloodshed: Pastor, resident killed as herders raid Apa communities

By James Ike

Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly killed at least two persons, including a pastor, in renewed attacks on communities in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, triggering fresh tension and displacement in the area.

The assaults, which occurred over two days, also left several residents injured, while many families were forced to flee their ancestral homes for safety.

Communities said to have been affected by the attacks include Edikwu and Oiji where gunmen allegedly stormed in broad daylight, shooting indiscriminately and spreading panic among villagers.

An eyewitness recounted that the first attack took place on Sunday at about 1:45 p.m. in Edikwu Icho, when the assailants invaded the community firing sporadically.

“They came shooting and people started running in different directions. As the people ran, the attackers laid ambush and killed two persons,” the eyewitness said.

According to him, one of the victims was a pastor who was returning from church at the time of the attack. “A pastor who was coming back from church was among those killed in the ambush.

"Several other residents sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident."

The source further disclosed that the gunmen returned on Monday and launched another attack on Oiji community but were confronted by local youths.

He also alleged that some women were raped during the attacks, while injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment.

Confirming the development, Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adams Ocheiga, said two persons were ambushed and killed in Edikwu on Sunday.

“Two people were ambushed and killed at Edikwu Ward 11 yesterday, while Oiji was attacked this morning but repelled immediately by vigilant youths,” Ocheiga stated.

Efforts to get an official reaction from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.