Benue LG Chair raises alarm as armed herders attack mourners, farmers in Ado communities

By Johnson Arua

The Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Engr. Sunday Oche, has raised the alarm over renewed attacks by armed herders across several communities in the council.

Speaking with journalists in Makurdi on Monday, Engr. Oche disclosed that the herders went on a violent rampage between Saturday and Sunday in Ijigban, Ulayi and Utonkon communities, where they attacked mourners and farmers, inflicting severe machete injuries on two persons and carting away three motorcycles.

He explained that the latest incident occurred when mourners conveying the remains of a deceased relative from a mortuary in Igumale to Ulayi community were ambushed by the attackers. During the assault, two natives, Hon. Philip Okpekwu and Dr. Benedict Ogaba, were matcheted and dispossessed of their motorcycles.

“The injury sustained by Philip Okpekwu was severe. We rushed him to the General Hospital in Igumale and took care of the bills, but his condition did not improve. He has now been referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi,” the chairman stated.

Engr. Oche added that security operatives and local vigilantes chased the attackers towards the Akparata axis of Ulayi, noting that the herders “have devised a new strategy” to unleash terror on residents.

He further revealed that on Monday morning, he received reports that Okpekwu had begun bleeding from the nose while undergoing treatment at the teaching hospital.

The council boss also confirmed a separate attack in Utonkon, where herders reportedly assaulted farmers. He said the culprits were apprehended and had agreed to compensate the victims for destroyed crops.

Engr. Oche called on the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Benue State Government, to urgently deploy more security personnel to the affected areas to prevent further breaches of peace.

When contacted for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she would revert to journalists. She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.