14 Killed, Police officer among victims in fresh Benue attacks

At least 14 people, including a mobile police officer, have been reportedly killed in separate attacks by gunmen across Benue State, with incidents recorded in Apa and Otukpo local government areas.

Residents who spoke on Monday said 10 persons were killed in Edikwu-Ankpali on Sunday night, while three others lost their lives on Friday in Ikobi, both in Apa Local Government Area.

The slain police officer was reportedly killed during another attack on Saturday at Upu village in Entekpa ward of Otukpo LGA.

Locals described the killings as a recurring tragedy in the affected communities, adding that many villagers have fled their homes following the latest wave of violence.

Youths were also said to be combing nearby bushes on Monday in search of more bodies believed to be missing after the attacks.

The Chairman of Apa LGA, Adam Ochega, confirmed that nine people were killed in Edikwu-Ankpali, while one person each was killed in Ikobi and Adija communities.

He added that several others sustained injuries during the attacks.

> “Nine people were killed, many were injured at Edikwu-Ankpali, while one was killed at Ikobi and another was killed at Adija,” he said.

In a separate statement, the chairman lamented the repeated assaults on Ikobi, Adija, and Edikwu-Ankpali, saying residents had been left in grief and trauma.

He called on both the federal and state governments to urgently deploy more security personnel, adopt proactive measures to curb the violence, and provide support for victims’ families.

Also confirming the killing of the mobile police officer, Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, said the deceased officer was among operatives deployed to the area following earlier attacks.

> “It’s sad we lost him during the attack on Upu which security operatives successfully waded off. However, the security of the area has been fortified with the deployment of more police and military,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, Udeme Edet, had not responded to enquiries as of the time of filing the report.