Two Killed as Armed Cattle Rustlers Raid Benue Community, Steal Over 40 Cows

From Dooshima Terkura Makurdi

Suspected cattle rustlers armed with sophisticated weapons have attacked Oyilawu Village in Okpafie Community of Okonobo Ward, Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing one resident and making away with more than 40 cows.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, claimed the life of a resident identified simply as Benjamin.

Sources from the community said the assailants struck while many youths were gathered watching a World Cup match between Senegal and Belgium on Wednesday night.

Residents reportedly received information about the invasion and rushed to the scene, but the attackers had already escaped with the cattle.

A community source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, disclosed that a member of the local vigilante group was also killed while attempting to stop the rustlers around the Aidogodo area.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Adah Inalegwu, said the attackers arrived at about 1 a.m. and were heavily armed with AK-47 rifles.

According to him, the rustlers, estimated to be about 12 in number, first targeted the owner of the cattle, who had previously resisted several attempts to steal his livestock.

“They came and neutralised the owner before gaining access to the cattle. After rustling the animals, members of the community alerted local vigilantes, who mobilised and engaged the suspects in a gun battle around the Okpoga-Aidogodo axis,” Inalegwu said.

He explained that two persons sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire, with one later dying from the wounds.
The council chairman said security operatives, including the police and military, were combing nearby forests in pursuit of the suspects.

“We are still trailing them because they remain within the bush paths. Soldiers and other security personnel have visited the affected community and assured residents that measures are being put in place to prevent a recurrence,” he said.

Inalegwu noted that the local government was working to establish a standby security response unit to improve rapid intervention during emergencies.

He further alleged that the rustlers were not members of the host community but Fulani herders operating from neighbouring areas.

“This is the third time such an incident has happened. In previous operations, we arrested some suspects who confessed to cattle rustling and provided useful information. Two suspects are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department and have admitted involvement in cattle theft,” he stated.

The chairman added that investigations had traced some of the suspects to Ezza-Igbo in neighbouring Ebonyi State, where they allegedly use routes linking Ado, Okpokwu and Ebonyi communities to carry out their activities.