Armed men attacked mourners returning from a burial in Sati-Ikov council ward, Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Saturday night, killing three and abducting two others. The victims were ambushed near the community, according to residents. Those killed were identified as Bem Msughter from Mbakyombo in Daav-Ikov, Aondo Chia from Mbamegh in Daa-Ikov, and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor in Daav-Ikov. The abducted are Aondongu Amos, a Point of Sale operator based in Sati-Ikov, and Mrs Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine trader.
Simon Gabo, lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency, confirmed the attack, saying he was alerted around 4 a.m. on Sunday. "I received a call from my people at about 4 a.m. that they had gone for a burial and on their way back, they ran into armed men," he said. "The armed men shot and killed three of them. They also robbed some residents and kidnapped two people." Gabo noted similar attacks occur every other week, including a recent incident where three others were killed.
He attributed the violence to armed groups crossing from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area into Ushongo, exploiting the mountainous, forested terrain. Police have been informed, and the Divisional Police Officer deployed officers on Sunday morning. A resident confirmed the attack happened without warning. Benue State Police Command spokesperson Udeme Edet was unreachable for comment. The attack adds to a wave of violence across Benue, including abductions in Otukpo and killings in Agatu and Apa.
Simon Gabo says attackers cross from Katsina-Ala into Ushongo weekly, yet police deployment remains reactive rather than preventive. If officers were sent only after the latest killings, then those living in Sati-Ikov are effectively left unprotected between attacks. The pattern of violence occurring every other week suggests security forces are responding too late to save lives. Residents like Bem Msughter, Aondo Chia, and Sunday Terwase died despite prior warnings of ongoing raids.
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