Villagers flee as bandits attack Benue community
Residents of Ankpechi community in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State on Thursday fled their homes after armed invaders launched an attack on the area. The community, located along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road, is close to Ondo-Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Area, where armed invaders attacked on Tuesday, killing one person […]
Residents of Ankpechi community in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State on Thursday fled their homes after armed invaders launched an attack on the area.
The community, located along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road, is close to Ondo-Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Area, where armed invaders attacked on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring another.
Residents told our correspondent by telephone that the gunmen stormed the quiet community at about 8 a.m., firing sporadically and throwing the area into panic.
They said one person sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to hospital, while the attackers broke into shops and food barns, carting away food items.
A resident, who identified himself simply as Adole, said he was at a nearby school when people began running in different directions for safety.
“When the dust settled following the quick intervention of security operatives, it was discovered that one person sustained serious gunshot wounds, while food items were looted by the armed terrorists from shops within the area,” he said.
Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi, saying the attackers invaded the community on Thursday morning.
“Yes, there was an attack this morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. by armed herdsmen. They came to Ankpechi, which is in Oglewu Ward, shooting sporadically.
“They shot one person and the community scampered for safety. What they did was to burgle the shops around the area and cart away goods and food items.
“That is to show 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 people saw them; they were armed herdsmen. As we speak, the person they shot has been taken to hospital, and we are hopeful that he will survive.
“As regards the situation, I have alerted the Governor, and security personnel were immediately deployed to the area. Many security operatives are there, while others are combing the surrounding bushes,” Adole said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to calls and text messages seeking confirmation of the incident as of the time of filing this report.