A resident of Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward of Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State, was injured on Thursday after suspected armed herders reportedly invaded the area, fired sporadically, and looted shops, according to residents and local authorities.

A fresh security incident has been reported in Ankpechi community, Oglewu Ward of Ohimini Local Government Area, Benue State, where suspected armed herders allegedly attacked residents, injured one person and looted several provision shops.

Residents said the incident occurred between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, forcing people to flee for safety as gunshots rang through the community.

A local resident, identified as Elijah, told journalists by telephone that the attackers entered the community in large numbers and opened fire before targeting shops.

"They came in their numbers and shot sporadically, making residents scamper for safety. They also looted provision shops," he said.

According to the resident, one person sustained a gunshot injury during the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

The Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, confirmed the incident, saying armed men invaded Ankpechi community during the morning hours.
He said one resident was shot while shops were broken into and food items carted away.

The chairman added that additional security personnel have since been deployed to the affected area to strengthen security and reassure residents.

Attempts to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were not answered at the time of filing this report.

The latest incident comes just days after separate attacks on Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo communities in neighbouring Otukpo Local Government Area, where several people reportedly lost their lives.

Some residents have linked the recent wave of violence to alleged reprisals following the killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). However, the association's state secretary, Ibrahim Galma, previously distanced MACBAN members from those attacks.

Security agencies are yet to publicly establish any connection between the incidents.