Armed herdsmen attacked Ankpechi community in Oglewu District of Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State, on Thursday morning, forcing residents to flee and leaving one person injured. The assailants, who arrived around 8:00 a.m., opened fire into the air, causing panic and chaos as villagers scattered for safety. The community, located along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road near Ondo-Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Area, has become a target in a pattern of violent raids that have intensified in recent weeks. This incident follows a similar attack earlier in the week that left one person dead and another injured in the same region.
Residents reported that the attackers not only fired gunshots but also broke into shops and food storage facilities, looting food items and other goods. One man sustained gunshot injuries during the assault and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Adole, a local resident who was at a nearby school when the attack occurred, described the scene as chaotic, with people running in different directions as the gunfire erupted. He confirmed that security forces responded quickly, and after the attackers retreated, it was discovered that food supplies had been stolen and one person was critically wounded.
Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the attack, stating that armed herdsmen invaded Ankpechi between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. He emphasized that the attackers were not strangers, noting they live in close proximity and have resorted to violence to obtain food. “They cannot go to buy food, so they came to Ohimini to collect food and used force to take it,” he said. He added that the injured man had been taken to the hospital and was receiving treatment, and that the community was in shock. The local chairman also revealed that he had alerted the state governor, and security operatives had been deployed to the area, with some conducting searches in surrounding bush areas.
Despite the confirmed local reports, the Benue State Police Command had not officially acknowledged the incident at the time of reporting. Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, through phone calls and text messages were unsuccessful, leaving the official response uncertain. The incident underscores the growing insecurity in the region, particularly along the Otukpo–Ogobia corridor, where attacks by armed herders have become increasingly frequent. As communities remain on edge, calls for stronger security presence and government intervention continue to grow. The situation in Ankpechi highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to protect civilians and restore peace in Benue State’s vulnerable communities.
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