Residents of several communities in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, have abandoned their homes after a fresh armed attack claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, left one person missing and led to the rustling of hundreds of cattle.
The attack reportedly occurred around 7:00 a.m. on Monday in Olahimu village, where gunmen allegedly targeted cattle belonging to the family of the late Ardo Risku Muhammad, who was killed in a similar incident a few weeks earlier.
In a statement released on behalf of the family, Muhammed Idris disclosed that his younger brother, Muhammad Isiyaku, 15, was fatally shot during the assault. He explained that although four people earlier reported missing were later found, one labourer, Saidu Musa, is still unaccounted for.
Idris further stated that the attackers made away with about 500 cattle. He said a number of the animals were later recovered during a search around the Okwudu axis, while several were found dead and many others remain missing.
According to the family, the incident was reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ogoli Ugboju, who visited the scene with officers as investigations commenced.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said he immediately contacted the District Head and the Divisional Police Officer after receiving a distress call from Idris while the attack was still in progress.
He explained that security operatives and local youths were mobilised to the community, but by the time they arrived, one victim had
