Residents of Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State were thrown into panic on Thursday morning following an attack by suspected armed herders.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers stormed the community between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., firing gunshots indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee for safety. During the invasion, several provision shops were reportedly looted, with food items and goods carted away.
A local resident, who identified himself as Elijah, disclosed that the attackers appeared to have targeted shops deliberately.
“They came in large numbers, shooting sporadically. People ran in different directions to escape. At the same time, they broke into shops and looted food items. It looked like the shops were their main target,” he said.
One resident sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.
The Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the incident, stating that the assailants invaded the community within the same timeframe reported by residents.
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“Yes, the attack happened this morning. The armed men shot one person and looted shops, taking away food items and other goods,” Adole said.
He further suggested that the attackers might be operating from nearby locations, noting that their actions indicated a possible struggle for food resources.
Security personnel have since been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further violence.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command for official comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The incident comes just days after similar attacks in nearby communities within Otukpo Local Government Area, which reportedly resulted in multiple casualties.
The recent wave of violence has raised concerns among residents, with some linking the attacks to ongoing tensions in the region.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as residents call for increased security presence to safeguard lives and property.
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