Gunmen kill 4 in Benue, abduct 4 in Kogi
At least four people have been killed in Benue State, while four others were abducted in Kogi in a fresh attack by gunmen. In Benue, armed men launched a deadly attack on Akpete village in Apa Local Government Area on Thursday evening, killing four residents and injuring several others. Locals said the gunmen struck between […]
At least four people have been killed in Benue State, while four others were abducted in Kogi in a fresh attack by gunmen.
In Benue, armed men launched a deadly attack on Akpete village in Apa Local Government Area on Thursday evening, killing four residents and injuring several others. Locals said the gunmen struck between 4pm and 5pm, arriving on motorcycles and on foot and opened fire from multiple directions.
A resident who witnessed the attack told Weekend Trust that the community had earlier received intelligence of a planned attack and youths had mobilised in anticipation. However, they were overpowered by the large number of the attackers.
“Four people were killed and several others injured. They came in large numbers and surrounded us,” he said.
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The chairman of Apa Local Government, Adams Adah Ochega, confirmed the attack, adding that soldiers arrived after the gunmen had fled. “The army responded swiftly, but the attackers had already escaped. I was asked to send vehicles to transport the injured to the hospital,” he said.
In a related development, another killing was recorded in Buge village of Kakanda community, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State following an invasion by suspected kidnappers on Monday, April 25.
One person was reportedly shot dead, two others injured, and at least four residents were abducted by the gunmen, who stormed the community on motorcycles, armed with sophisticated weapons.
A local source said the attack may have been triggered by the arrest of a suspicious individual found wearing clothes belonging to a previously kidnapped person. “After his arrest, someone called to demand his release and threatened consequences. Days later, gunmen attacked our village,” the source said.
In the chaos that followed, many residents fled through a nearby river; some children reportedly drowned while trying to escape.
The attackers are said to be demanding a ransom of N150 million for the release of the kidnapped victims.
The police spokespersons in both Benue and Kogi states – CSP Catherine Anene and SP William Aya – were unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report.