At least nine people are feared dead following a violent attack on Ankpali Edikwu ward in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, in what residents say was carried out by suspected armed herders.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Sunday evening, has left the agrarian community in shock, with several residents displaced amid fears of further attacks.
Local sources and community leaders described the assault as sudden and coordinated, deepening concerns over the persistent insecurity affecting rural parts of Benue State.
Eyewitness Account Raises Alarm
A community leader, Mr. Bernard Ekah, who spoke to journalists via telephone, said the attackers invaded the village in large numbers and opened fire on residents.
According to him, the assailants stormed the community and shot indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee for safety.
“They came in and started shooting sporadically. People were running in different directions. In the process, nine people were killed,” he said.
Ekah described the attack as unprovoked, adding that it has worsened fears among residents who are still recovering from previous incidents in the same area.
He noted that the community had suffered a similar attack in the past year, yet security concerns remained unresolved, leaving residents vulnerable to repeated violence.
Renewed Fear and Displacement
Following the latest incident, many residents have reportedly fled their homes, fearing a possible repeat attack.
Community members say the recurring violence has made farming and daily economic activities increasingly difficult, further worsening the humanitarian situation in the area.
Local leaders expressed concern that the repeated targeting of rural settlements in Apa Local Government Area is contributing to displacement and deepening food insecurity, as many farmers abandon their fields for safety.
The latest attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Benue communities, which have continued to experience clashes and armed attacks over the past several years.
State Government Reacts
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as unacceptable and promising intensified security operations across affected areas.
In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, the governor directed security agencies to immediately launch coordinated operations to flush out armed criminal elements allegedly operating within forested areas of the state.
Governor Alia said the attackers and other criminal groups have been exploiting forested terrain as hideouts from which they launch assaults on rural communities.
He specifically identified forests in Apa, Otukpo, Gwer West, and other parts of the state as areas of concern.
“The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has directed security agencies to immediately commence coordinated operations to dislodge armed herder terrorist camps identified in forests around Apa, Otukpo, Gwer-West, and other parts of the state,” the statement read.
He stressed that such criminal networks must be dismantled without delay in order to restore peace and security in affected communities.
Ongoing Security Challenges in Benue
The Apa attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have continued to affect Benue State, a region long troubled by rural insecurity and farmer-herder tensions.
In recent months, several communities across Gwer East, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Gwer West, and Guma Local Government Areas have experienced repeated attacks, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of residents.
One of the most recent major incidents occurred on Easter Saturday in Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area, where multiple lives were reportedly lost in a similar attack.
Security analysts have described the pattern of violence as part of a wider challenge involving armed groups operating across forest corridors in central Nigeria.
Police Acknowledge Security Situation
The Benue State Police Command acknowledged the ongoing security challenges in parts of the state, including Apa, but did not directly confirm the casualty figures reported in Sunday’s attack.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the Command said it is actively reviewing and strengthening its operational strategies to restore peace in affected communities.
“The Command acknowledges the recent security challenges experienced in parts of the State, particularly in Apa, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Gwer East, and Guma Local Government Areas,” the statement read.
According to the police, efforts are ongoing to ensure that security operations are intensified across vulnerable locations, including remote communities and forested areas.
The Command stated that tactical units have been deployed to identified hotspots as part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting criminal activities and restoring normalcy.
It also noted that recent operations have led to the recovery of arms and the disruption of some criminal networks operating within the state.
Warning Against Misinformation and Criminal Enablers
The police further cautioned against the spread of unverified information regarding security incidents, warning that misinformation could undermine ongoing security operations.
“The Command also notes the circulation of misleading information and unverified reports in certain quarters. Members of the public are advised to rely on official sources for accurate information,” the statement added.
In a strong warning, the police also addressed individuals involved in cattle rustling and related activities, stating that such actions contribute to cycles of violence in affected communities.
According to the Command, anyone found involved in cattle rustling or in handling stolen livestock would be treated as a collaborator in criminal activity and prosecuted accordingly.
The police said intelligence reports suggest that cattle rustling has increasingly become a trigger for reprisal attacks in several rural communities.
Growing Concerns Over Rural Insecurity
The latest attack in Apa Local Government Area has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in parts of Benue State, where rural communities continue to face threats from armed groups.
Residents and community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained military and police operations to prevent further attacks.
Many affected communities say they are struggling to rebuild their lives amid repeated violence, with displacement becoming a recurring challenge.
Humanitarian observers have also warned that continued insecurity could worsen food shortages, as Benue remains one of Nigeria’s key agricultural regions.
