Fresh Benue bloodshed: Mother, three others killed as armed herdsmen terrorise Ohimini, Ukum communities

By Johnson Arua

Fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen have left at least four people dead, several others injured, and scores of families traumatised in separate raids on communities in Ohimini and Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue State.

Among those killed was a mother who was reportedly hacked to death in her home, while her children suffered deep machete cuts and are battling for their lives in hospital after the attackers stormed Tse-Gbemshin in Mbazum, Mbaterem Council Ward of Ukum LGA in the early hours of Saturday.

The latest attacks, which unfolded over two days, also saw cattle rustled, motorcycles stolen and several residents left missing as frightened villagers fled into nearby bushes to escape the gunmen.
Residents told Vanguard that the violence began on Friday night in Elulu, Ohimini LGA, where the armed men allegedly shot dead a young man before escaping with his Bajaj motorcycle.

Emboldened by the attack, the gunmen reportedly advanced to neighbouring Agadagba community in an attempt to rustle a large herd of cattle. However, local youths confronted them, forcing them to abandon the operation after one resident sustained a gunshot wound.

Rather than retreat, the attackers allegedly returned on Saturday evening at about 7 p.m. and unleashed another wave of violence, firing indiscriminately at villagers.

"They came back and started shooting at everybody," a resident said. "Two people were killed in Agadagba, while many others sustained gunshot injuries. Before then, they had already killed a young man in Elulu and stolen his motorcycle."
The source added that the attacks spread to other parts of Ohimini.

"They also attacked Ochobo where about four people were shot. In Ogoli-Ugboju, two persons, including a ranch owner, were shot. He survived, but many of his cattle were taken away by the attackers."

While communities in Ohimini were struggling to recover from the attacks, another tragedy was unfolding in Ukum LGA.

A resident of Tse-Gbemshin narrated that the attackers invaded the community at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, killing a woman and severely injuring her children with machetes.

"The children sustained deep machete cuts and are receiving treatment in hospital," the resident said. "The community is pleading with government and security agencies to investigate this attack, arrest those responsible and protect innocent people from further killings."

Confirming the attacks in Ohimini, the Chairman of the local government, Mr Gabriel Adole, said the coordinated assaults had claimed three lives in the area.

"It was not only Agadagba they attacked," Adole said. "They first attacked Elulu two days ago, killed somebody, attacked another person and collected his Bajaj motorcycle. They also attempted to rustle cows in Agadagba that same day, but the people resisted them. They shot one of the villagers in the leg before fleeing."

He disclosed that the gunmen returned the following day and carried out the deadly attack that left two more people dead.
"As I speak with you, I am preparing to visit the affected community to condole with the families of the victims," he said. "So far, three people have been killed in Ohimini. Two injured persons—the owner of the stolen motorcycle and the man whose cattle they attempted to rustle—are still receiving treatment in hospital."

Adole said Governor Hyacinth Alia had directed immediate security intervention in the affected communities.
"Security personnel have already been deployed, and I have also mobilised community vigilantes because they understand the terrain better. Our people will not abandon their ancestral homes because of these marauders. Governor Alia has provided the necessary support to strengthen security in Ohimini," he added.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Mr Jonathan Modi, were unsuccessful as calls to his telephone were not answered.

Similarly, the Benue State Police Command was yet to officially react to the attacks. Calls and text messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.