Armed Herdsmen Kill Two Soldiers, Farmers in Benue

Tragedy in Benue as armed herdsmen reportedly ambush and kill two soldiers alongside several farmers, escalating tensions in the region.

Two soldiers have reportedly been killed by suspected armed herdsmen in Jato-Aka town, located in the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The armed herders also took the lives of a police officer and two farmers, Yenge Kwaghkuga and Bem Adughigbudu, in the community.

An anonymous eyewitness reported that the soldiers were ambushed while they were responding to a distress call to rescue residents on the outskirts of Jato-Aka town.

In response to the attack, he mentioned that 12 trucks carrying security personnel were dispatched to the area on Thursday morning.

I learned that one soldier suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, while another who was shot during the attack remains missing.

Residents, however, felt that increased security should be deployed to the volatile area because of the frequency of attacks and the advanced weaponry possessed by the attackers.

The attacks have severely impacted the economy, preventing residents from participating in agricultural activities.

Lawrence Akarigba, a local resident, voiced his concern about the ongoing attacks by herdsmen. He reported that on Wednesday they assaulted Tse Tsumbu and Yaav ward, resulting in two fatalities.

The area that was attacked is where the legislative aide to Senator Emmanuel Udende resides. This aide’s brother, who served as a member of the Volunteer Guard, lost his life last year.

We have fled Jato Aka, the largest town in Turan and the hometown of the late Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo, a former minister and elder statesman.

Jato Aka now resembles the situation in Afghanistan, preventing residents from returning to their homeland.

He stated, “Although people are leaving Jato Aka, enhancing security would boost confidence in the community and encourage residents to come back and resume their normal lives.”

According to the source, the injured soldier has been transported to NKST Hospital in Jato-Aka for medical treatment. Meanwhile, efforts continue to locate the missing personnel.

Upon being contacted, CSP Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, stated that she had not yet confirmed the incident.

Sgt. James, the spokesperson for OPWS in Benue State, confirmed that two soldiers and others were killed in the Kwande local government area.

“Our team is returning to Makurdi and might reach by 9 PM. I prefer not to provide incomplete information,” he stated on Thursday night.