Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have attacked Entekpa Ward of Adoka-Icho in Otukpo Native Authorities Space of Benue State, killing 5 individuals and injuring many others.
The ward head of Entekpa, Chief Oliver Inalegwu, who raised the alarm, instructed newsmen in a message that the attackers killed 5 folks and sacked the complete village in an assault that happened on Monday night, 9 February 2026.
He mentioned: “The village is empty now, no one there. We went there with the council chairman this morning, Tuesday, 10 February 2026, and it was bloody in all places. It was herdsmen who attacked the village yesterday.”
The chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, has confirmed the incident, saying 5 individuals have been killed on the spot.
Ogiri, who spoke to our correspondent on the cellphone, famous that he had gone to the scene of the incident to determine the extent of injury and be certain that the displaced individuals got help.
The chairman narrated that: “Yesterday, the villagers received data that there have been suspected strangers of their neighborhood after which started to alert each other. Initially, it was not simply strangers. It was strangers and lots of cattle. So, after a while, they found that the difficulty of the cattle was only a decoy to push their consideration in the direction of the place the cattle have been.
“After some time, they found that whereas the cattle have been coming from one course, the attackers got here from one other course. Whereas the cattle have been coming from one other course, the attackers had already gone up, hanging on the bushes, ready for the course earlier than they will strike on the neighborhood.
“And so they did a number of damages. Immediately, 5 individuals have been killed. There have been others with totally different levels of gun wounds. They’re in numerous hospitals. Additionally they burnt a home which was their first level of assault, after which they started to shoot sporadically at anyone they see.”
Ogiri, who famous that the navy have moved in, mentioned: “They went on a first-hand evaluation of the damages. Whereas I used to be leaving there, the navy have been transferring in there in droves.”
He famous that the state authorities has mobilised its civil safety guards and locals however lamented that the locals are ill-equipped, with nothing to defend themselves.
“That is the scenario we discovered ourselves. There was no want for that provocation. There was no prior disaster they usually weren’t anticipating {that a} reprisal was going to come back on this scenario. To date, there’s a number of humanitarian disaster. The displaced persons are monumental. So many villagers have been sacked from their habitats. They’re much.
“They’re at the moment taking refuge in Adoka-Icho. We have now a tradition the place we don’t keep within the IDP camp. Our persons are not used to a camp. Moderately, they scatter amongst family, households, and amongst others individuals within the communities.”
The chairman appealed for help for his folks, saying: “For the second, the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, has assured me that reduction materials might be supplied for many who are displaced whereas the police are making efforts to ship extra troops to curtail the scenario.”
Lower than 24 hours after 9 worshippers have been kidnapped at St John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, Utonkon, in Ado Native Authorities Space of Benue State, 16 passengers have been kidnapped by gunmen at Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga Highway, Ado LGA of the state.
It was gathered that the incident occurred round 7pm on Monday, February 9, 2026, whereas they have been travelling from Oju to the western a part of the nation for work.
A witness instructed newsmen in Makurdi that the passengers departed Iheijwo Market, Oju LGA, round 7pm, with the driving force passing by Utonkon–Ojapo/Okpoga Highway, Ado LGA, Benue State, when the abductors intercepted them and whisked 15 passengers into the bush. One individual was shot lifeless when the driving force refused to cease.
It was additionally gathered that the gunmen collected their telephones to forestall them from contacting their family. The bus is at the moment at Utonkon Police Station, however the passengers’ whereabouts are unknown.
Chairman of Oju LGA, Jackson Ominyi, who confirmed the incident, mentioned two individuals have been shot lifeless whereas one other two have been rescued by the hassle of his Okpokwu counterpart.
He counseled the efforts of the Okpokwu chairman for guaranteeing the rescue of the 2 individuals up to now and in addition his assurance to rescue all remaining 12 abductees.
As of this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, couldn’t be reached for feedback.
Equally, recent violence has erupted in Taraba State, the place terrorists have launched renewed assaults on Tiv communities in Takum Native Authorities Space. Residents report ongoing killings and the restoration of a number of corpses.
One distressed resident mentioned that the assaults have been nonetheless underway as at Tuesday night.
“Killings are ongoing now within the Tiv neighborhood in Takum LGA. It’s severe killing. Dozens of individuals died and about six corpses have been recovered as I communicate to you,” the resident mentioned.
One other supply accused the state authorities of indifference, describing the assaults as focused and deliberate.
“Persons are mounting at Takum Native Authorities. The governor doesn’t care. It’s focused genocide. Solely the media will help these folks,” the supply added.
Footage obtained present victims of the assaults mendacity lifeless, underscoring the dimensions of the violence sweeping by the communities.
The most recent assault comes amid sustained assaults on Tiv Christian settlements in Chanchanji district of Takum LGA, the place residents have repeatedly accused the Taraba State Authorities and safety companies of abandoning them to armed assailants.