Over 10 inhabitants are feared lost following a late-night assault on the Ankpali community in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, marking another episode indicating escalating insecurity in the region.
The attack, which transpired on Sunday night, April 12, 2026, cast the rural locality into grief, with numerous individuals still unaccounted for as search operations persist.
Community members reported that the aggressors, identified as armed Fulani militias, invaded the village under the guise of night and fired indiscriminately, inciting terror and compelling numerous families to escape to safety.
NAIJATAB learned that last year, 13 individuals lost their lives in the same village due to Fulani herders.
This latest incident has left many survivors in shock, while displaced families have sought refuge in nearby communities and other safer areas.
In response to the incident, the lawmaker representing the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Chief Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema, denounced the killings, characterizing them as “barbaric, irrational, and a tragic reminder of the ongoing security issues” confronting the constituency and Benue State as a whole.
He conveyed profound sorrow over the loss of lives and extended sympathies to the grieving families and the entire Edikwu-Ankpali community, whilst expressing concerns about the recurrent violence in the Apa and Agatu local government areas.
“It is intolerable that our citizens are compelled to live in fear, are unable to return to their homes or farms, and endure continuous assaults without sufficient protection. Security forces must awaken to their duties and put a stop to these killings once and for all,” Ojema stated.
The legislator urged security forces to adopt immediate and decisive actions to terminate the killings, emphasizing that the issue has lingered for too long without a durable solution. He also called on the Federal Government to tackle the underlying causes of insecurity and guarantee that offenders face justice.
In an alternative response, Hon. Barr. Joy Okpainmo Ameh expressed her condolences to the people of Edikwu-Ankpali regarding what she termed a horrific massacre, condemning the ongoing killings allegedly executed by suspected herdsmen.
She urged the government to take tangible actions to cease the violence and encouraged residents to stay united during this challenging time, while extending her sympathies to the victims’ families.
