Faith Chondol
At least 10 persons have been confirmed dead following coordinated attacks on communities in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State on Sunday evening 12 April 2026, in what residents describe as another wave of deadly violence in the region.
The attacks, reportedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen, primarily targeted Ankpali community in Apa LGA, leaving a trail of destruction, displacement, and fear among residents.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the assailants stormed the community in the evening, opening fire on unsuspecting villagers and forcing many to flee into surrounding bushes. Several houses and properties were also destroyed during the Attack, compounding the humanitarian impact on the already vulnerable population.
A resident, Titus Oche Ojobo, who spoke on the aftermath of the incident, described the situation as devastating and chaotic. According to him, the community has been thrown into renewed fear and uncertainty, with many families still unaccounted for.
He noted that the casualty figure may rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue, with both local vigilantes and security personnel combing nearby forests for missing persons.
“The situation is still very tense and unclear. People are running for their lives, and many are still missing. Security operatives and community members have moved into the bushes to rescue those who may be trapped,” Ojobo said.
Confirming the development, former Deputy Chairman of Agatu LGA, John Ikulono, disclosed that nine persons were killed in Apa LGA alone. He added that in a separate incident in Agatu, a farmer was ambushed and killed while returning from his farm, bringing the total death toll to at least 10.
The attacks have further heightened concerns over the persistent insecurity in Apa and Agatu LGAs, areas that have witnessed repeated violent clashes and killings in recent years.
Reacting to the incident, the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Pastor Ojotu Ojema, strongly condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric, senseless, and unacceptable.”
In a statement issued on Monday, Ojema expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families and the people of the affected communities, particularly Edikwu-Ankpali.
He lamented that the recurring attacks have continued to inflict untold hardship on residents, forcing many to abandon their homes and farmlands, thereby threatening livelihoods and food security in the area.
“It is unacceptable that our people continue to live in fear, unable to access their homes or farms, and are subjected to repeated attacks without adequate protection,” he said.
Ojema called on security agencies to rise to their constitutional responsibilities by taking swift and decisive measures to halt the violence and restore peace in the affected communities.
He also appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward addressing the root causes of the crisis in Benue State and ensure that perpetrators are tracked down and brought to justice.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies were yet to issue an official statement, while tension remains high across the affected communities, with residents fearing possible further explanation.
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