A resident was injured after suspected armed herders attacked Ankpechi community in Ohimini LGA, Benue, looting shops and forcing residents to flee.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday morning, barely three days after deadly attacks on Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo community in neighbouring Otukpo Local Government Area, further deepening fears of a widening wave of violence across Benue South.
Residents said the attackers stormed the community between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., firing sporadically as frightened villagers ran for safety.
A resident identified as Elijah, who spoke with journalists by telephone, said the attackers appeared to have targeted food and household supplies during the raid.
"Our community came under heavy attack this morning. They came in large numbers, shooting sporadically and making everyone run for safety. They also looted provision shops. From what we saw, it appeared the shops were their main target," he said.
According to the eyewitness, one resident sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and was taken to hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
The identity and condition of the injured victim were not immediately disclosed.
Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the attack, saying armed men invaded Ankpechi community during the morning hours.
He said the attackers not only opened fire on residents but also burgled shops and carted away food items and other goods.
"Yes, there was an attack this morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. They came shooting sporadically, injured one person and residents fled for safety. They later burgled shops and made away with food items and other goods," Adole said.
The council chairman suggested the attackers might have been seeking food supplies.
"That tells you they are operating very close to our communities. They came to take food by force because they could not obtain it elsewhere," he added.
Adole disclosed that additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks.
The incident is the latest in a string of violent attacks affecting communities in Benue South, particularly Otukpo and Ohimini local government areas.
Just days earlier, attacks on Akpachi and Otukpo-Nobi communities left at least 18 people dead, while another reported attack in Ondo community forced residents to flee their homes.
The repeated attacks have heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom fear that insecurity is spreading across neighbouring communities despite increased security deployments.
Farmers, traders and business owners have also expressed concerns about their safety as the rainy season critical for agricultural activities continues.
The latest violence comes amid claims by some local stakeholders that recent attacks may be linked to the June 26 killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, who were ambushed while returning from a peace meeting in Otukpo.
However, the Benue State chapter of MACBAN has rejected suggestions that its members were responsible for the attacks.
In an earlier statement, the association condemned the killings in Otukpo-Nobi and urged the public to allow security agencies to complete investigations before attributing responsibility.
As of Thursday, there was no official evidence from security agencies establishing a connection between the Ohimini attack and previous incidents in the area.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment.
Prime Brief Media will update this report if the police issue an official statement.
The latest attack adds to mounting security challenges confronting Benue's rural communities.
Repeated violence has forced many residents to abandon farms, disrupted economic activities and increased pressure on already overstretched humanitarian resources.
Community leaders have continued to call for sustained security operations, improved intelligence gathering and stronger protection for vulnerable settlements across Benue South.
Thursday's attack in Ankpechi reinforces growing concerns that insecurity is no longer confined to isolated communities but is affecting multiple local government areas in Benue South within days of one another.
Beyond the immediate injuries and property losses, repeated attacks threaten food production, local commerce and public confidence in security efforts.
While investigations continue into recent incidents across Otukpo and Ohimini, residents say their greatest concern is preventing another attack, not merely responding after violence has already occurred.
Prime Brief Media will continue to monitor developments and provide verified updates as more information becomes available.
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