A ranch owner and a vigilante member have been killed after suspected armed cattle rustlers attacked a ranch in Okpokwu LGA of Benue State and fled with nearly 50 cows.
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OKPOKWU, BENUE STATE – July 5, 2026
A ranch owner and a local vigilante member have been killed following an attack by suspected armed cattle rustlers on Okpafie community in Oyilawu, Okonobo Ward of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.
The assailants reportedly fled with nearly 50 cattle after the early morning raid, prompting security agencies to launch a manhunt.
According to community sources, the attack occurred at about 1:00 a.m. on Thursday when about a dozen heavily armed men invaded a ranch belonging to a resident identified simply as Benjamin.
The gunmen reportedly shot the ranch owner before driving away approximately 50 cattle from the premises.
A resident said the attackers took advantage of the fact that many young people in the community had gathered at a viewing centre to watch ongoing football matches before carrying out the attack.
The armed men sneaked into the village around 1 a.m. while many youths were at a viewing centre. They attacked Benjamin, killed him and moved about 50 cattle out of the ranch before fleeing, the source said.
The sound of gunfire reportedly alerted residents and members of the local vigilante group, who pursued the attackers as they attempted to escape.
During the confrontation along the Okpoga–Ai-Dogodo axis, one vigilante member was fatally shot, while two others sustained gunshot injuries.
The attackers reportedly escaped with the stolen cattle, while local security volunteers and residents continued efforts to trace their movement.
Confirming the incident, Okpokwu Local Government Chairman, Adah Inalegwu, said about 12 heavily armed men, carrying AK-47 rifles, carried out the operation.
According to him, the ranch owner had previously resisted similar attacks but was overwhelmed during the latest assault.
"The owner of the cattle was asleep when they attacked him. They had made several attempts in the past, but this time they neutralised him before taking away the cows," the chairman said.
He added that soldiers, police officers and other security personnel had visited the affected community and assured residents that measures were being put in place to prevent further attacks.
The council chairman said security operatives were pursuing the suspects, who are believed to have fled into nearby forests.
He also disclosed plans to establish a standby security team to improve emergency response in vulnerable communities.
Inalegwu rejected suggestions that the attackers were members of the local community, insisting they were outsiders involved in organised cattle rustling operations.
He further revealed that previous arrests had helped investigators uncover a network allegedly operating along the Ado–Okpokwu–Ebonyi State corridor.
According to him, earlier suspects arrested over cattle rustling confessed to their involvement and are currently in the custody of the Benue State Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
As of the time of publication, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments were unsuccessful.
The latest attack adds to growing security concerns in parts of Benue State, where communities continue to grapple with violent attacks, cattle rustling and other criminal activities.
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