Herdsmen Kill Two Soldiers, Two Civilians In Benue Attack

Friday May 23, 2025|

Suspected armed herdsmen attacked Ijaha Ikobi in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, killing four people, including two soldiers, and stealing two AK-47 rifles and one SMG, according to TheSUN reports.

The civilian victims were Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi, while the soldiers’ identities remain undisclosed.

Apa LGA Chairman Adam Ogwola confirmed the attack, which occurred at 3:30 AM on Wednesday, May 21. He stated, “Yes, the herders at about 3:30am yesterday I received a call that there was an attack in that community and when I called some people there was no response from them.”

He added, “Later I heard that two soldiers were killed. So this morning, they discovered the bodies of the two civilians.”

Furthermore, Ogwola noted that soldiers and police are investigating to restore calm. He explained, “Because of the culture of our people, you don’t normally keep accidental dead bodies in the mortuary. We are in the period of hit and run herders.”

The civilian bodies were buried within 24 hours, while the soldiers’ bodies were moved, possibly to Ugbokpo or Makurdi.

No official statements from the police or army were available at the time of reporting.