Bandits kill 15 Villagers Harvesting Cashew in Fresh Benue Attack

Bandits kill 15 Villagers Harvesting Cashew in Fresh Benue Attack

  • Gunmen have attacked Ojantele community in Benue state, killing 15 and injuring several villagers harvesting cashew nuts
  • According to the witnesses' report, the victims primarily included women and youths from neighbouring communities
  • The chairman of Apa local government area, Adams Ochega, addressed the matter as well as collaboration with the police

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues

Bandits have killed 15 villagers and injured several others during an attack on Ojantele community in Apa local government area (LGA) of Benue state.

The terrorists attacked the victims who had gone into nearby bushes to harvest fallen cashew nuts following overnight rainfall.

Fresh concerns on insecurity in Nigeria as bandits kill 15 villagers and injure several others during an attack on Ojantele community in Apa local government area (LGA) of Benue state.
Ojantele community in Apa local government area (LGA) of Benue state mourns as bandits kill 15 villagers and injure several others during an attack.
Source: Original

It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026, when the villagers were gathering cashew nuts around Ogbaulu. The attackers were said to have opened fire on them in the process.

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As reported by Daily Trust, residents said the victims were mostly women and youths from neighbouring communities, including Asaba and Akpete.

According to residents, the gunmen stormed the community with a large herd of cattle and began shooting sporadically as villagers returning from their farms fled for safety.

A witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, that 15 bodies had been recovered after the attack.

The source added that 11 other victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to a hospital in Ugbokpo for treatment.

Some villagers also claimed that several residents remain missing, including a woman who was reportedly abducted during the attack.

The chairman of Apa local government area, Adams Ochega, said he was yet to receive comprehensive details of the attack as he was away on official duty.

Ochega appealed for time to obtain accurate information on the incident.

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The state police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, has yet to comment on the unfortunate incident as of the time of filing this report.

The spotlight is on the police in Benue state as bandits kill 15 villagers and injure several others during an attack on Ojantele community in Apa local government area (LGA).
Pressure mounts on police in Benue state, as bandits kill 15 villagers and injure several others during an attack on Ojantele community in Apa local government area (LGA). Photo credit: @PoliceNG
Source: Twitter

Bandits kill businessman, kidnap pregnant wife

Recall that armed bandits killed businessman Sufiyanu Garba and abducted his pregnant wife during a deadly attack in Kebbi state.

The state police command began an investigation after the deadly incident near a checkpoint, highlighting security concerns in the country.

The state commissioner of police, CP Umar Mohammed Hadejia, had ordered a thorough inquiry to rescue the victim and apprehend the attackers.

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Herdsmen kill 13, set market ablaze

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, killed 13 people in Benue state's Mbaikyor market attack.

Several market women were kidnapped, and the market was set ablaze during the violent invasion.

The local government and security have mobilised to restore calm following the devastating attack.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Adekunle Dada avatar

Adekunle Dada (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Adekunle Dada is a trained journalist with over 8 years of working experience. He is also a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Lagos State University, Ojo. Adekunle previously worked at PM News, The Sun, and Within Nigeria, where he expressed his journalistic skills with well-researched articles and features. In 2024, Adekunle obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. He can be reached via adekunle.dada@corp.legit.ng.

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