Fresh violence has again hit parts of Benue State after suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed three persons, injured several others, and abducted passengers during separate attacks in Otukpo.
The attacks, which happened on Friday evening, targeted Akpamaju community and a police checkpoint at Ojano along the busy Otukpo–Enugu Road, leaving residents in fear and confusion.
According to local sources, the first attack occurred at Akpamaju community where two men working on a farm were ambushed and killed by armed attackers. One of the victims was said to have travelled from Gboko to operate a tractor hired for farming activities in the area.
The deceased were identified as Friday Omoha from Ogbadibo Local Government Area and Francis Liambee from Guma Local Government Area. Their bodies were later deposited at the mortuary of the University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital in Otukpo.
Barely an hour after the farm attack, another deadly incident reportedly unfolded at Ojano along the Enugu Road, where suspected armed herdsmen allegedly attacked a police checkpoint.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers emerged from nearby bushes and opened fire, killing a young man who regularly assisted security operatives in moving barricades used for vehicle checks. Police officers at the checkpoint reportedly fled during the attack.
The gunmen also allegedly attacked a commercial mass transit bus, injuring some passengers while abducting several others. Some passengers reportedly escaped by running back toward Otukpo, while the injured were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incidents and said security operatives responded after receiving distress calls from the affected areas.
According to him, security personnel later engaged the attackers in a gun battle after another emergency report from the Ojano axis. He added that preliminary findings suggested the same group of armed men may have carried out both attacks.
The latest violence has once again raised concerns over worsening insecurity and recurring attacks on communities and travellers in parts of Benue State, especially along major highways and rural settlements.