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At least two people, including a pastor returning from church service, were killed on Sunday, February 23, 2026, when suspected herdsmen launched an attack on several communities in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants targeted Edikwu G’Icho, Ole-G’ijamu, and Ukpogogo villages, opening fire on residents and causing widespread panic. Among the victims was a clergyman who was reportedly shot dead while heading home after conducting Sunday worship.
Vigilante youths from the affected communities quickly mobilized and engaged the attackers, eventually repelling the assault after a brief exchange of gunfire. The resistance forced the suspected herdsmen to retreat, but not before inflicting casualties and injuries. Two women sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, where they are currently receiving care.
Security sources confirmed the attack but provided limited details on the motive, though farmer-herder tensions and disputes over grazing routes remain recurring triggers for violence in the Apa axis and other parts of southern Benue. The area has witnessed similar raids in recent months, often resulting in deaths, displacement, and destruction of farmlands.
Local residents expressed deep sorrow over the pastor’s killing, describing him as a respected community figure whose death has left a profound impact on the congregation and surrounding villages. Calls for stronger military and police presence have intensified, with community leaders urging authorities to establish permanent security outposts to deter future incursions.
As of February 24, 2026, no arrests have been reported in connection with the attack, and security agencies have yet to issue an official statement detailing casualties or operational responses. Vigilante groups and local hunters continue to maintain watch in the affected communities while families mourn the deceased and pray for the recovery of the injured women.
The incident adds to the growing toll of insecurity in Benue State, where herdsmen-related violence has claimed numerous lives and disrupted livelihoods in rural areas over the past years.
