The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State, Hon Adam Ogwola, has confirmed the killing of four persons, including two soldiers and two civilians during a violent attack by suspected armed herders in Ijaha Ikobi community.
DAILY Post earlier reported suspected herdsmen launched a deadly attack on Ikobi-Ochekwu community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State late Wednesday night, killing several residents, including a newlywed soldier.
Speaking to journalists via telephone on Thursday, Ogwola disclosed that the assault occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, around 3:30am.
“I received a distress call that there was an attack in the Ikobi area. Initially, efforts to reach contacts in the community proved abortive. Later, I received confirmation that two soldiers had been killed during the ambush,” the chairman said.
He further revealed that the bodies of two civilian residents, identified as Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi, were recovered on Thursday morning following the deadly ambush.
According to him, the attackers, believed to be armed herders, laid siege to the area and opened fire on both residents and responding soldiers.
The chairman explained that, in line with the community’s cultural practice, the civilians have already been buried.
“Because of our traditions, we don’t usually keep the bodies of people who die under such tragic circumstances for long. Both victims were buried shortly after their bodies were recovered,” he said.
He also confirmed that the remains of the two slain soldiers had been evacuated from the scene but said he could not verify whether they were taken to the mortuary in Ugbokpo or Makurdi.
While describing the situation as relatively calm at the moment, Ogwola noted that additional security personnel, including soldiers and policemen, have been deployed to the community to forestall further violence.
