The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State, Hon. Adam Ogwola, has confirmed that four people, including two soldiers and two civilians, were killed during an attack by suspected armed herders in Ijaha Ikobi community.
According to Ogwola, the deadly assault occurred around 3:30 am on Wednesday when armed attackers laid siege to the community and opened fire on both residents and military personnel who responded to the situation.
"I received a distress call that there was an attack in the Ikobi area. Initially, efforts to reach contacts in the community proved abortive. Later, I received confirmation that two soldiers had been killed during the ambush," the chairman told journalists via telephone on Thursday.
The two civilian victims have been identified as Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi. Their bodies were recovered on Thursday morning following the deadly attack.
In accordance with local traditions, the chairman confirmed that the civilian victims have already been buried. "Because of our traditions, we don't usually keep the bodies of people who die under such tragic circumstances for long. Both victims were buried shortly after their bodies were recovered," Ogwola explained.
The remains of the two slain soldiers have been evacuated from the scene, though the chairman could not verify whether they were taken to the mortuary in Ugbokpo or Makurdi.
Earlier reports had indicated that one of the soldiers killed was newly married, though this detail was not specifically addressed in the chairman's statement.
The situation in the community is now described as relatively calm, with additional security personnel, including soldiers and police officers, deployed to prevent further violence.
This attack comes amid ongoing tensions between herders and local communities in Benue State, which has witnessed numerous violent clashes in recent years.
