Herder’s Murder In Benue Leaves Three Villagers Dead In Reprisal Attack

Anthony Ufoh

Suspected herders in the Anwule community of Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State have allegedly murdered three persons following the death of one herdsman in the community.

According to Zagazola Makama on his verified X account (formerly Twitter) explained that sources who claimed anonymity revealed that the incident was sparked by the alleged murder of the herdsman by suspected villagers sometime in August 2025.

Makama wrote,” The tragedy traces back to late August, when a young Fulani herder was reportedly assaulted and killed by some villagers who accused him of grazing cattle on their farmland. His death, security sources say, was the spark that ignited the deadly cycle.

“They attacked the cattle, and in the process, the young boy herding them was killed,” a security source told Zagazola. “Up till now, his body has not been found. That incident changed everything.”

After the killing, tension became the village’s new normal. Security sources said the herders launched a desperate search for the boy’s body, while villagers, anxious over possible retaliation, kept vigils around the community.

“Instead of de-escalation, the situation worsened. On 3 November 2025, some villagers reportedly launched another attack on herders in a separate encounter, killing more cattle and a Fulani herder.

“That second attack was the tipping point,” another source disclosed. Once a human life was involved again, everyone knew a reprisal was almost certain,” Makama stated.

“By Tuesday morning, the herders struck back, and before troops from the Army Forward Operating Base, Otukpo, could respond to the distress calls from villagers, the attackers invaded Anwule, shooting sporadically and torching homes.

“When the gunfire stopped, three villagers – Simon Nbach, Adoya Ejigai and Ejeh Loko – lay dead. One resident is still missing, and community members fear he may also have been killed.

One Simon Nbach, who was later identified as a pastor of the Flaming Fire Ministry, was among those caught in the attack.

Troops later assisted locals in recovering the bodies. The villagers who survived now live in fear; many have fled to neighbouring communities, abandoning their farmlands and homes.

It was reported that in the aftermath of the killings, senior government officials, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Joseph Har, and the Chairman of Ohimini LGA, Gabriel Adole, visited the community.

They appealed for calm and promised reinforced security surveillance.

Har said, “We understand the grief and fear, but peace must be maintained. Security agencies are already on the trail of the perpetrators,” Har told the community leaders.”

This is going on in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s threat to decimate terrorists in Nigeria as the insecurity, especially against ‘Christians’, is escalating.