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AGATU, BENUE STATE — By Prime Brief Media

Tragedy struck the Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Thursday night when unidentified gunmen stormed the palace of the traditional ruler, killing him, his wife, his son, and two other residents in a targeted assault that has sent shockwaves through the region.

Local sources confirmed to Sahara Reporters and other outlets that the victims include Chief Momo Alexander Awodi, the traditional ruler of Olegabulu; his wife, Abigail Awodi; and their son, Boniface Ochowechi. The remaining two victims were identified as Mr. Ochowechi Ochegwu and Mrs. Deborah Ochowechi, who were killed when the assailants moved to a neighbouring compound after the initial attack on the palace.

According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred around 8:00 p.m. when four assailants riding two motorcycles entered the community. The attackers did not raise immediate suspicion, as they exchanged greetings with residents in the local Agatu dialect before proceeding to the monarch's residence.

"As soon as they entered the traditional ruler's house and opened fire, everyone scampered for safety. The assailants operated for almost 20 minutes. After attacking the traditional ruler's residence, they moved to the next house and killed two people. One other person sustained injuries before they fled," a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Punch.

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Hon. Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Friday. "It's true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person injured during the attack," Ejeh said, adding that security personnel, including police officers, had visited the scene and been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks and restore calm.

Ejeh described the killings as "tragic and devastating" and pleaded with grieving residents to avoid retaliatory violence. "I urge our people to remain calm and not take the law into their hands. Security agencies have been mobilized, and investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for this heinous act," the chairman told journalists.

While Benue State has frequently been a flashpoint for herdsmen-related violence, early indicators suggest a more complex picture. Sources noted that Olegabulu sits between two rival communities and has been simmering with "underlying tensions" for some time. One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the attackers appeared to be locals or individuals familiar with the terrain.

"From what we are seeing, this does not look like a herdsman's attack. Olegabulu is located between two communities, and there have been underlying tensions," the source said. "Some people were seen passing through the village square and they greeted them in Agatu. That is why many are confused about what really happened".

However, a political leader from the area who also spoke on condition of anonymity linked the incident to a recent clash in the nearby Atakpa community. "If you recall, a few weeks ago, armed herders attacked Atakpa, the hometown of the Agatu Local Government Chairman. They returned shortly after for another attack, but the youths repelled them. Thursday night, they redirected their anger to the innocent Olegabulu community," the source told Vanguard.

The source further expressed concern that the attackers were still lurking in the area. "As I speak, the armed herders are still within that axis, waiting to carry out further attacks. After the assault, they retreated into the bush between Apa and Agatu LGAs, where they are believed to be hiding".

The attack has triggered mass displacement, with residents fleeing Olegabulu and neighbouring villages emptying out for fear of further attacks. "It was my aunt who called me from Olegabulu last night, informing me that people were fleeing. We advised them to take cover since it was late, but by morning, many had already deserted the community. Neighbouring villages are also emptying out," the political leader added.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, when contacted, said she had yet to receive full details of the incident. "I am yet to get the report, but I am still waiting for it," Edet told journalists.

Sources added that the community had enjoyed a long period of relative peace before Thursday's bloodbath, making the targeted assassination of the monarch even more jarring.

The killing of Chief Awodi comes just days after the Nigerian Senate called for the establishment of a Police Area Command and a military forward operating base in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas, following Senator Abba Moro's motion decrying the "urgent need for decisive action" to address persistent insecurity in the region.

Prime Brief Media continues to monitor the security situation in Agatu and the broader Benue South senatorial district. We will provide updates as more information becomes available regarding the investigation and any arrests made.