More than 10 residents have been feared dead following a late-night attack on Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, in yet another incident showing the worsening insecurity in the area.
The assault, which occurred on Sunday night, April 12, 2026, threw the rural settlement into mourning, with several persons still unaccounted for as search efforts continue.
Residents said the attackers, described as armed Fulani militia, stormed the village under the cover of darkness and opened fire indiscriminately, sparking panic and forcing many families to flee for safety.
Last year 13 persons were killed in the same village by fulani herdsmen.
The latest attack has left many survivors traumatised, while displaced families have sought refuge in neighbouring communities and other safer locations.
Reacting to the incident, the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Chief Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema, condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric, senseless and a tragic reminder of the persistent security challenges” facing the constituency and Benue State at large.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Edikwu-Ankpali community, while lamenting the recurring violence in Apa and Agatu local government areas.
“It is unacceptable that our people continue to live in fear, can’t access their homes or farms and suffer repeated attacks without adequate protection. Security agencies must wake up to their responsibilities and bring an end to these killings once and for all,” Ojema stated.
The lawmaker called on security agencies to take immediate and decisive steps to halt the killings, stressing that the situation has persisted for too long without a lasting solution. He also urged the Federal Government to address the root causes of insecurity and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
In a separate reaction, Hon. Barr. Joy Okpainmo Ameh sympathised with the people of Edikwu-Ankpali over what she described as a gruesome massacre, condemning the repeated killings allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen.
She called on the government to take concrete steps to end the violence and urged residents to remain united during the difficult period, while extending her condolences to families of the victims.
