By Peter Duru
One person has been reportedly killed after gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen attacked Ondo community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State on Tuesday morning, forcing residents to flee their homes amid heavy gunfire.
The latest attack came less than 48 hours after the deadly invasion of Otukpo-Nobi community in the same LGA, where more than 18 persons were reportedly killed, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in Benue South.
Residents said the attackers stormed Ondo community in the early hours of Tuesday, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic as villagers abandoned their homes and fled to safer locations.
Although the full extent of casualties and property damage could not be verified, the attack sparked fresh fear among residents already traumatised by the recent killings.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr. Maxwell Ogiri, said security operatives swiftly responded to the distress call and repelled the attackers after one resident lost his life.
“There is crisis in Ondo, but it is not too much. It was repelled after the loss of an indigene,” Ogiri said.
According to him, “The combined security forces are combing the forest in search of the bandits. The situation is calm now because when the attackers saw that security agencies responded immediately, they retreated.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive full details of the latest attack, promising to provide an update after obtaining information from officers on the ground.
