Armed bandits attacked mourners returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov Council Ward, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Saturday night, killing three people and abducting two others. The violent incident, which occurred near the community, has heightened fears among residents amid a surge in insecurity in the region. The attackers, believed to be armed herders or bandits, ambushed the group as they traveled back home, leaving a trail of bloodshed and trauma.
Sources close to the victims confirmed that the group was returning from a funeral ceremony when they were suddenly attacked. “Some mourners returning from a burial were attacked close to our community on Saturday night. Three of them were killed, while two others, a male and a female, were kidnapped,” said an eyewitness. The victims were identified by Hon. Simon Gabo, the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, who confirmed the incident after receiving a distress call around 4 a.m.
Gabo named the deceased as Bem Msughter, Aondo Chia, and Sunday Terwase, all residents of different communities within Sati-Ikov Ward. He also identified the abducted individuals as Aondongu Amos, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, and Mrs. Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine trader. The lawmaker expressed deep concern over the recurring nature of such attacks, noting that the community has been under constant threat in recent weeks.
He disclosed that three other people were killed in a similar attack just two weeks prior, underscoring the growing pattern of violence. Gabo alleged that the attackers often cross from neighbouring Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, using the dense forests and rugged terrain to launch surprise assaults before fleeing back across the border. He emphasized that the incident has been reported to the police and that security operatives have been deployed to the area to investigate and provide reassurance.
Despite the deployment, efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. The failure to secure an official statement from law enforcement has raised questions about the response capacity and transparency in handling the crisis. Residents are now calling for stronger security measures and increased patrols to prevent further attacks.
This latest incident adds to the growing list of violent crimes in Benue State, where armed groups have increasingly targeted civilians, especially during vulnerable moments like funerals or religious gatherings. The abduction of a POS operator and a trader highlights the indiscriminate nature of the attacks, which now threaten not only lives but also economic activities in the region.
As security agencies scramble to respond, communities in Ushongo and surrounding areas remain on high alert, fearing more attacks. The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated federal and state efforts to restore peace and protect innocent civilians from senseless violence.
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