The herders ambushed the traders and took everything they had after shooting them. They fled into the bushes immediately after committing the crime
At least fifteen traders have been brutally murdered by armed men suspected to be herders in a deadly ambush that took place in Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities, located in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria.
The tragic event occurred on Saturday evening as the unsuspecting victims were returning home from the popular Oweto Market.
According to local sources, the traders were traveling back to their respective communities when the assailants, believed to have been hiding in nearby bushes, suddenly emerged and opened fire.
The attack was swift and deadly, leaving 15 people dead on the spot, while several others sustained serious injuries. Some individuals are also reported to be missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
A local resident who witnessed the aftermath of the incident described the scene as horrifying. “They were ambushed suddenly along the road. We believe the attackers had been monitoring their movements from the market,” the resident said during a phone call with our correspondent.
Confirming the attack, former Vice Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Mr. John Ikwulono, provided additional details in a telephone interview.
He revealed that the victims were not only killed but were also robbed of their money and personal belongings.
“The herders ambushed the traders and took everything they had after shooting them. They fled into the bushes immediately after committing the crime,” he stated.
Mr. Ikwulono also mentioned that among the casualties, five individuals were murdered between the villages of Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo, near a small stream locally known as Abekoko. He noted that emergency response teams and community members have since been trying to recover the bodies and assist survivors.
As of now, the full extent of the incident is yet to be confirmed by official security authorities. When contacted for comment, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Catherine Anene, stated that she had not yet been briefed on the situation.
The attack has sparked renewed concerns over the security situation in Benue State, particularly in the Agatu axis, which has a history of violent clashes between herders and farming communities.
Residents and community leaders have called on the state and federal governments to take urgent steps to enhance security in the area and bring the perpetrators to justice.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing list of violent attacks that have plagued the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, where tensions over land use, grazing rights, and community safety have often escalated into deadly confrontations.