Tragedy struck Ortese community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday evening, December 23, 2025, when armed attackers launched a deadly assault, killing at least five young men and abducting several others.
Witnesses recounted how the assailants, arriving in large numbers and armed with dangerous weapons, blocked the vital Ortese-Yogbo Road before opening indiscriminate fire on residents. The sudden ambush forced many locals to flee for safety, while some individuals remain missing, prompting urgent calls for security agencies to thoroughly search surrounding bushes for additional victims.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who described the attack as unfortunate. Additional security personnel have been swiftly deployed to the area to comb the bushes, track down the perpetrators, and restore calm. An investigation has been launched, with assurances that those responsible will be brought to justice.
This latest violence adds to the longstanding insecurity plaguing parts of Benue State, particularly in Guma LGA, where recurrent attacks have displaced communities and claimed numerous lives. Residents continue to live in fear as authorities work to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
