Benue: Apa LG chairman confirms death of two soldiers, others in herdsmen attack

The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area in Benue State, Hon. Adam Ogwola, has confirmed the deaths of four individuals two soldiers and two civilians, following a violent attack by suspected armed herders in the Ijaha Ikobi community.

IDOMA VOICE had earlier reported that suspected herdsmen launched a deadly assault on Ikobi-Ochekwu, a community in Apa LGA, late Wednesday night, claiming the lives of several residents, including a newlywed soldier.

Speaking to journalists via a telephone interview on Thursday, Ogwola said the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

“I received a distress call that there was an attack in the Ikobi area. Initially, efforts to reach anyone in the community failed. Later, I got confirmation that two soldiers had been killed in the ambush,” the chairman stated.

He added that the bodies of two civilians, identified as Ocheje Ngbede Sani and Aduba Paul Ogboyi, were recovered Thursday morning following the onslaught.

According to Ogwola, the attackers, believed to be armed herders, laid siege to the area and opened fire on both civilians and security personnel responding to the crisis.

In line with local customs, the chairman explained that the two civilian victims had been buried shortly after their remains were recovered.

“Due to our cultural traditions, we do not keep the bodies of victims of such tragic incidents for long. Both have been laid to rest,” he noted.

He also confirmed that the remains of the two fallen soldiers had been evacuated, although it remained unclear whether they were transported to the mortuary in Ugbokpo or Makurdi.

While noting that calm has been restored in the area, Ogwola said additional troops and police officers have been deployed to prevent further violence.