Gunmen Rampage: Pregnant Woman Among 11 Killed in Benue Village

Gunmen launched a deadly assault on Ole’Adag’aklo village in Usha Council Ward of Agatu LGA, Benue State, claiming the lives of 11 individuals, including a pregnant woman.

Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing attack, which occurred on Sunday evening, describing how the assailants wreaked havoc on the peaceful community, leaving devastation in their wake.

Confirming the grim toll, Yakubu Ochepo, Chairman of Agatu, disclosed, “11 people were killed. Of the number, seven corpses have been recovered. The corpses of a pregnant woman, an elderly man, and five youths have been recovered. They (soldiers) have been able to recover the remaining four corpses.”

He further revealed the efforts undertaken by security forces, stating, “Soldiers went there yesterday (Sunday) to recover the corpses. There were gunshots and the armed herders ran away only to regroup. I’m in Makurdi now to report to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS). We need more hands. We hear they also captured some people alive and threw others into the river.”

In the aftermath of the assault, houses lay in ruins, and the community reels from the loss of loved ones. The incident underscores the persistent threat of violence in the region, prompting urgent calls for enhanced security measures to safeguard vulnerable communities.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson in the state, SP Catherine Anene, stated she had not been informed of the incident, raising concerns about coordination and communication within the security apparatus.