A 15-year-old boy was killed and hundreds of cattle rustled during a deadly armed attack on Monday morning in Olahimu village, Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State.
The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m. when gunmen targeted cattle belonging to the family of the late Ardo Risku Muhammad, who himself was killed in a similar attack a few weeks earlier. Muhammad Idris, speaking on behalf of the family, disclosed that his younger brother, Muhammad Isiyaku, aged 15, was fatally shot during the assault.
Idris further revealed that four people were initially reported missing, but three were later found. However, one labourer, Saidu Musa, remains unaccounted for. The attackers reportedly made away with about 500 cattle. Some animals were later recovered during a search around the Okwudu axis, while several others were found dead and many remain missing.
Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said he immediately contacted the District Head and the Divisional Police Officer after receiving a distress call from Idris while the attack was ongoing. Security operatives and local youths were mobilised, but by the time they arrived, the assailants had already escaped with the livestock.
Ogiri lamented the increasing insecurity in the area, noting a recent invasion of a ranch in Jericho village, Ugboju. Many residents have now abandoned their homes for fear of further attacks.
The bereaved family has appealed to the Benue State Government, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the missing labourer, recover the remaining cattle, and improve security in Olahimu, Ogoli Ugboju, and neighbouring border communities. They also urged members of the public with useful information to assist security agencies.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet said she was yet to receive full details of the incident at the time of reporting. The council chairman assured residents that security has been strengthened with additional police officers and personnel now operating across the area.
