MAKURDI, Nigeri — At least two people, including a pastor, were killed after suspected armed herdsmen launched fresh attacks on communities in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, according to local residents and the council chairman. The attacks, reported over two days, also left several people injured and triggered fresh displacement as residents fled for safety. Communities mentioned in the reported assaults include Oiji, Ojantelle and Edikwu, where gunmen were said to have stormed villages, fired sporadically and caused panic. A local source quoted by Vanguard said the attackers invaded Edikwu Icho on Sunday at about 1:45 p.m., ambushing fleeing residents. The source said two people were killed, including a pastor who was returning from church.
The second victim, identified by local accounts as Ngbede, was reportedly shot at close range during the attack. Residents also alleged that some women were raped and that several injured victims were taken to hospital for treatment, though police had not publicly confirmed those claims at the time of reporting. Apa LGA Chairman Adams Ocheiga confirmed the incidents, saying two people were ambushed and killed in Edikwu Ward 11 on Sunday. He also said Oiji came under attack on Monday morning but that local youths, supported by security personnel, repelled the assailants. Ocheiga added that the local council was working with security agencies to prevent further violence and restore calm.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time the reports were published, according to Vanguard. The latest attacks add to persistent insecurity in parts of Benue, where rural communities have faced repeated deadly raids tied to the broader herder-farmer conflict and armed bandit activity. Apa LGA has been among the affected areas in past waves of violence, with residents frequently reporting displacement and disruption to farming and local commerce.
The incidents are likely to heighten pressure on state and federal security agencies to strengthen protection in vulnerable communities, especially as residents in affected villages weigh whether it is safe to return home. For now, local authorities say security deployments and community vigilance are being stepped up to prevent another incursion.
