Newlywed soldier among victims of midnight attack on Benue community

A dark cloud hangs over Benue State as residents of Ikobi-Ochekwu in Apa Local Government Area reel from a deadly overnight attack that claimed several lives, including that of a newlywed soldier.

The horrifying incident occurred late Wednesday night, when suspected herdsmen invaded the quiet village under the cover of darkness. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers unleashed mayhem, firing indiscriminately at unsuspecting residents and setting homes ablaze.

Amid the chaos and cries for help, one of the casualties was a soldier who had reportedly tied the knot only recently—a detail that has deepened the grief of the already traumatized community.

Survivors described the attack as a nightmare that lasted for hours, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement in its wake. Many villagers have now been rendered homeless, forced to seek refuge in neighboring communities.

A resident identified as Ochofie said that the village was caught completely off guard. “They came in the night, shooting everywhere and burning our homes. It was like a nightmare,” he said.

“In the early hours of Thursday, two more bodies were discovered in nearby Ijaha, identified as Sani Ngbede and Aduba Paul Ogboyi,” a source said.

The identities of other victims, including the slain soldiers who was said to have recently tied the knot, are yet to be officially confirmed by authorities