Five Killed, Many Abducted as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Deadly Ambush on Ortese Community in Benue State

At least five people have been confirmed dead, several others injured, and an unidentified number of residents abducted following a deadly attack on Ortese community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The violent incident occurred on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, along the Igyungu Aze–Yogbo Road, triggering panic and a mass displacement of residents.

Local sources disclosed that the attack was allegedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen, who reportedly staged a coordinated ambush along the road. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers barricaded the Ortese–Yogbo route before opening fire indiscriminately on commuters and villagers who were either travelling or hiding in nearby bushes.

Among those killed were Solo Uchi, Alhaji Iorlaha, and Tersoo Uker, while two other victims are yet to be formally identified. Community members fear the death toll may rise, as several residents remain missing and local youths continue search efforts in surrounding bushes and farmlands.

One of the deceased, Tersoo Uker, was an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) who had fled earlier violence and was living in the Igyungu Aze camp. He was reportedly gathering grass behind the camp to roof a makeshift shelter due to severe overcrowding when he was attacked and killed.

Residents described the scene as horrifying, recounting how some victims were shot dead instantly, while others were chased into the bush during the assault. A local youth leader said the attackers deliberately targeted vulnerable civilians, leaving the community traumatised.

“This attack happened just two days after another deadly incident in Daudu where two people were killed,” a community source said, highlighting a worrying pattern of recurring violence in the area.

The abduction of several residents has intensified fear, forcing many families to flee Ortese community for safer locations. Survivors are reportedly taking refuge in neighbouring towns and IDP camps amid growing insecurity.

The latest incident has renewed calls for urgent government intervention, enhanced security deployment, and decisive action to curb persistent attacks in Benue State, which has long been plagued by communal violence, armed herdsmen attacks, and mass displacement.

As of the time of reporting, security agencies had yet to release an official statement, while residents continue to demand protection and accountability to prevent further bloodshed.

PoliticsHerdsmen attacks: Plateau women threaten to protest naked, accuse govt of inaction.

A women’s group in Plateau State has threatened to protest naked over the recurring attacks and killings by suspected Fulani militias, especially in Berom communities.

The group under the aegis of the Berom Women Development Association, BWEDA, who made the threat in a statement on Saturday, also declared that the ongoing violence in the state is a clear case of genocide and not a result of farmer-herder conflicts as widely believed.

In the statement signed by its President, Abigail Banga, BWEDA demanded immediate and decisive action from the government and security agencies to stop the relentless bloodshed in the state.

Describing the wave of attacks as mindless and unprovoked, the women’s group lamented the repeated killings and destruction of entire communities despite the presence of military personnel and armoured equipment.

The women also expressed deep frustration over what they term as the failure of the government to provide security and justice to the victims of such attacks.

They criticised the governments resort to condolence visits and palliatives, instead of a firm, decisive, and long-term security solution to avert the violence.

“Our hearts bleed with each butchered child and burned home. We are traumatised, we are grieving, and we are angry. This is not a conflict—it is a campaign of extermination,” part of the statement said.

The group further called on the federal government to urgently review its security framework in the state, stressing that allegations of military indifference and possibly collusion with attackers should not be swept under the carpet.

“We’ve had enough of empty words. We demand action now or we will embark on a naked protest. This is not just Plateau’s problem, it is Nigeria’s shame,” the women added.