Over 20 Killed As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community

Suspected herdsmen have stormed Ojantele, a community along the Abuja-Otukpo road in Benue State.

Naija News understands that several persons were killed and many others are also missing

According to Daily Post, gunmen stormed the area on Friday and opened fire on residents, leaving over 20 persons dead, while several others are still missing.

Chairman of Apa LGA, Adams Ogwola, who confirmed the attack on Friday afternoon, said they could not ascertain the number of casualties at the moment.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Mbajiir in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, has been abducted and murdered by armed men.

According to Vanguard, the deceased, Zaki Sughter Agamber, was abducted on March 6, 2026, by suspected gunmen at Kam Village in Tongov, an incident that left residents of the community in shock and fear.

Sources in the area said the traditional ruler was taken away from his home in the presence of his family by the armed men.

The monarch’s lifeless body was later discovered the following day in a nearby bush, sparking anger and grief among residents and traditional institutions in the area.

The source stated that “no group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing, while the motive behind the attack remains unclear.”

The development has drawn widespread condemnation, including the Benue State House of Assembly, which strongly condemned the abduction and subsequent killing of the Kindred Head, describing the incident as barbaric and unacceptable.

The House described the murder as a grave threat to traditional institutions and community leadership.

The Assembly reached the resolution during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Alfred Emberga.

The lawmakers called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to intensify efforts to track down those behind the crime.