Suspected armed herders have reportedly killed four persons in a fresh attack on Aila Odugheho in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, in what residents describe as a growing pattern of deadly ambushes despite increased security presence.

The victims were said to have been attacked on Sunday morning while walking along the Aila Odugheho road to a nearby community, highlighting ongoing concerns over safety in rural parts of the state.

A resident, Danny Uloko, who spoke via telephone, said the victims were ambushed without warning.

Uloko said, “The victims were walking along Aila Odugheho road to a nearby community when the Fulani herders ambushed them and killed them.”

He identified the deceased as Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowehi, and Ochoyoda Adejo.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, said four people were killed, noting that evolving tactics by attackers have made prevention more complex.

“It is true the incident happened today (Sunday morning). Four of our people were killed.

“Because of the robust security strategies we have put in place in the communities, it is now difficult to attack and overrun any community in Agatu Local Government Area.

“Hence, they have resorted to ambush, which is more difficult to confront. However, clearance operations are currently ongoing to rid the community forest of bandits,” he said.

Ejeh added that security agencies, including the Divisional Police Officer and local vigilantes, had been deployed to the area to carry out clearance operations and stabilise affected communities.

However, the Benue State Police Command said it had yet to receive an official report on the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, stated that attempts to reach the Agatu Divisional Police Officer were unsuccessful.

“I am yet to get the report because I have not been able to reach the DPO in Agatu,” she said.

The latest attack comes amid a resurgence of violence in Agatu, where killings linked to suspected armed herders and local militias have intensified in recent days, raising renewed concerns over the effectiveness of ongoing security interventions in the region.