Four persons have reportedly lost their lives after suspected armed herders launched an attack along the Aila Odugheho road in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were said to have been travelling on foot to a nearby community on Sunday morning when they were ambushed by the attackers.
A community resident, Danny Uloko, said the assailants attacked the group unexpectedly, killing all four victims during the incident.
The deceased were identified as Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowehi, and Ochoyoda Adejo.
Confirming the development, Agatu Local Government Chairman, Melvin Ejeh, stated that security measures introduced across the area had made direct invasions of communities more difficult for armed groups, forcing them to adopt ambush tactics instead.
He explained that security operatives and local vigilantes have intensified clearance operations in surrounding forests to flush out criminal elements operating within the area.
Ejeh also noted that police officers and local security teams were already on ground responding to the situation.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command said it was yet to receive full details of the incident, as efforts to contact the Divisional Police Officer in Agatu had not been successful at the time of reporting.
Recent weeks have witnessed renewed violence in parts of Agatu LGA, with several deadly attacks linked to suspected armed herders and militia groups.
