One person injured as suspected herders attack Benue community

Suspected armed herders invaded Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday. They shot sporadically and looted shops in the area.

One person was shot during the attack and is now getting treatment at a hospital that has not been named.

A local man named Elijah spoke to journalists by phone on Thursday. He said some herders came into the community around 8am, shooting and stealing from shops.

Elijah said, “Our community (Ankpechi), between 8am and 9am today (Thursday), came under heavy attack by Fulani herdsmen. They came in their numbers and shot sporadically, making residents scamper for safety.

“At the same time, the assailants looted provision shops. From what we witnessed, it was as if the provision shops were their main target.”

Elijah also mentioned that a resident was hit by a bullet and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Gabriel Adole, the Chairman of Ohimini LGA, confirmed the incident. He said the armed men attacked the community between 8am and 9am on Thursday.

Adole stated, “Yes, there was an attack this morning between 8am and 9am by armed herdsmen. They came to Ankpechi, which is in Oglewu Ward, shooting sporadically.

“They shot one person and the community scampered for safety. They then burgled shops in the area and carted away goods and food items.

“That is to tell you that they live very close to us. They came to attack and take food from our communities. They cannot go to buy food, so they came to Ohimini to collect food and used force to take it.”

The chairman mentioned that the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. He added that more security personnel have been sent to the area.

DSP Udeme Edet, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, could not be reached for comment as her phone was not answering.

This attack on Ankpechi community happened just three days after Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo communities in Otukpo LGA were also attacked, resulting in several deaths.

The ongoing attacks and killings in the two LGAs have led to claims that they are reprisals by herders after the killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, a few weeks ago in the area.

Meanwhile, the state secretary of MACBAN, Ibrahim Galma, distanced the association’s members from the attack shortly after the one on Otukpo-Nobi in Otukpo LGA.