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Makurdi, Benue State - By Prime Brief Media
Tragedy struck Aila community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday morning, 3 May 2026, when suspected armed herders ambushed travellers along the Aila-Odugheho road, killing at least four people and leaving several others injured.
The attack, which reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m., targeted villagers who were on their way to church service, according to an eyewitness account. Sources indicate the assailants stormed the area unexpectedly and opened fire on unsuspecting residents, causing chaos as people fled in different directions.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident, identifying the deceased victims as Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowechi, and Ochoyoda Adejo. Ejeh explained that enhanced security deployments had made it difficult for attackers to overrun entire communities, forcing them to adopt ambush tactics. "Because of the robust security strategies we have put in place in the communities, it is now difficult to attack and overrun any community in Agatu Local Government Area. Hence, they have resorted to ambush, which is more complex to confront," he stated.
Ejeh added that security agencies, including the Divisional Police Officer and local vigilantes, have launched clearance operations in nearby forests to track down the perpetrators and restore calm.
A resident, who identified himself as Danny Uloko, told journalists via telephone that the attackers struck suddenly. "The victims were walking along Aila Odugheho road to a nearby community when the Fulani herders ambushed them and killed them," Uloko said.
The attackers reportedly fled into nearby bushes after the assault. Residents continue to search for missing persons amid fears that the death toll could rise.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive a report on the incident, noting that efforts to reach the Agatu Divisional Police Officer had been unsuccessful.
The latest killings come amid a surge of attacks in Agatu Local Government Area. Penultimate Thursday, gunmen invaded Olegabulu community in the same LGA, killing a traditional ruler, his wife, his son, and two others.
Prime Brief Media will continue to monitor the security situation in Benue State and provide updates as more information becomes available.
#BenueAttack #AgatuKillings #NigeriaInsecurity #BenueState #PrimeBriefMedia
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