Suspected armed Fulani cattle rustlers attacked Okpafe community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday night, killing two persons and rustling more than 40 cows.
The incident occurred at Oyilawu in Okonobo Ward. One of the victims was identified as Mr. Benjamin, a resident of Okpafe. A member of the local vigilante group was also killed at Aidogodo while trying to prevent the attackers from escaping with the stolen cattle.
According to local sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, youths in the village were watching a FIFA Club World Cup match involving Senegal and Belgium when the attackers struck, which delayed any immediate response from the community.
The latest attack comes just days after suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly assault on Sai community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, where several people were reportedly killed and many others injured as gunmen invaded homes, opened fire on residents, and set houses ablaze.
As of the time of reporting, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the Okpafe incident.
The recurring violence continues to raise serious security concerns across several parts of Benue State.
