Armed men have killed three people and abducted two others in a late-night attack on residents returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov Council Ward of Ushongo Local Government Area, Benue State.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday night, was confirmed by local residents who said the victims were ambushed close to the community as they made their way home after attending a funeral.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers struck suddenly, targeting the mourners on the road.
“Some people who went for a burial were attacked near Sati-Ikov on Saturday night by armed men. Three were killed, while a man and a woman were kidnapped,” the source said.
The violence was also confirmed on Sunday by the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, who described the area as increasingly unsafe due to repeated attacks by armed groups.
Gabo said the latest victims included three young men identified as Bem Msughter, Daav-Ikov; Aondo Chia, Mbamegh; and Sunday Terwase, Mbakyor.
He also named the kidnapped victims as Aondongu Amos, a POS operator, and Mrs Arinze, a trader.
According to him, the community has experienced repeated attacks in recent weeks, with several fatalities already recorded.
“Only last week, we had similar incidents. These attackers keep crossing over from Katsina-Ala through forested and riverine areas to launch attacks and retreat afterward,” Gabo said.
He explained that the terrain, which includes thick forests and difficult access routes, has made security response more challenging.
The lawmaker added that he had reported the latest attack to security agencies, noting that police operatives had already been deployed to the area.
Efforts to get an official response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The latest killings have deepened fears among residents, as communities across the state continue to grapple with recurring incidents of violence and abductions.
