Suspected Herders Attáck in Benue Leaves Five Dèad, Multiple Persons Abdûcted

A fresh attack by suspected armed herders on Tuesday has left at least five people dead and several others abducted in the Ortese community of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State.

The assault occurred along the Igyungu Aze–Yogbo road. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, numerous residents sustained injuries, and an unspecified number were reportedly kidnapped and taken to unknown destinations. Local sources fear the death toll may rise, as community youths are still searching nearby bushes for missing persons.

Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as:

· Solo Uchi from Tse Hagher, reportedly killed on his farm.
· Alhaji Iorlaha from Orogbo.
· Tersoo Uker from Tse Uker, an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) who had ventured outside a congested camp to gather grass for roofing.

A community member, speaking anonymously, described a terrifying scene. “What we have seen so far is frightening. They attacked us on Tuesday, just two days after a similar attack on Daudu where two persons were killed. So far, five bodies have been recovered, but we believe more may still be found because several people are unaccounted for,” the source stated.

Road Ambush and Flight
Residents alleged the attackers barricaded the Ortese–Yogbo road, ambushing victims on the highway and pursuing others into the surrounding bushes. “They blocked the road completely and started shooting. Some people were killed on the spot, while others ran into the bushes where they were pursued,” a local youth leader claimed.

The abduction of several residents has heightened fears for their safety. The attack has triggered a new wave of displacement, forcing numerous families to flee the Ortese community as insecurity in the area worsens.

Attempts to obtain an official comment from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at the time of this report.