Gunmen kill 15-Year-Old Boy, rustle hundreds of Cattle in fresh Benue attack

Suspected armed men have attacked Olahimu village in Ogoli Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a 15-year-old boy and rustling hundreds of cattle in a fresh wave of violence in the community.

The attack, which reportedly occurred at about 7 a.m. on Tuesday, also left one person missing, while three others initially declared missing were later found after escaping from the attackers.

The victims are members of the family of the late Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku Muhammad, who was killed a few weeks ago in Okudu, Otukpo LGA, while returning from a peace meeting in neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by Muhammed Idris on behalf of the family, the deceased was identified as Muhammad Isiyaku, while the missing person was identified as Saidu Musa, a family labourer.

The family disclosed that although about 500 cattle were initially rustled during the attack, search efforts around the Okudu axis led to the recovery of many of the animals. Some cattle were, however, found dead, while others remain unaccounted for.

According to the statement, three persons initially feared missing — Muhammed Ismaiel (17), Muhammed Hamza (13) and a labourer, Abu Ali — were later found alive after escaping from the assailants.

The family condemned the attack and appealed to the Benue State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the missing labourer and recover the remaining stolen cattle.

> “We strongly condemn this act of violence, killing and cattle rustling. We appeal to the Benue State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, DSS and all security agencies to urgently intensify efforts to locate Saidu Musa and recover the remaining missing cattle.

> “We also call for increased security presence in Olahimu, Ogoli Ugboju and other border communities to prevent further attacks and a breakdown of law and order,” the statement said.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said he received a distress call while the attack was in progress and immediately alerted security agencies and community leaders.

According to him, Idris informed him that the attackers had targeted their herd and that his immediate concern was the safety of his younger siblings who were tending the cattle.

“I immediately contacted the District Head, the Divisional Police Officer and the youth leader, who mobilised to the area. Later, Idris informed me that they found one of his brothers dead, while the others who were initially missing were eventually located, except one labourer. The cows were nowhere to be found,” Ogiri said.

The council chairman lamented the increasing cases of cattle rustling and armed attacks in the area, recalling that suspected bandits recently rustled more than 50 cattle from a private ranch in Jericho village and had also been attacking communities to loot food items and other valuables.

He warned that the recurring attacks have forced many residents to flee their homes and abandon their farms at the height of the farming season.

When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive a detailed report on the incident.