Suspected armed herdsmen have killed two soldiers, a police officer, and two farmers in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to reports, the soldiers were ambushed while responding to a distress call to rescue residents on the outskirts of Jato-Aka. During the attack, one soldier was shot and injured, while another went missing. The injured soldier was taken to NKST Hospital in Jato-Aka for treatment, and security forces are still searching for the missing soldier.

Residents have called for more security presence in the area, as the attackers are heavily armed. Many people have fled Jato-Aka due to fear, describing the town as unsafe. They believe that deploying more security forces could help restore peace and allow them to return home.

A resident, Lawrence Akarigba, revealed that the same attackers struck other villages on Wednesday, killing two more people. He mentioned that Jato-Aka is an important town in the region but has become unsafe due to frequent attacks.

The Benue State Police spokesperson, CSP Catherine Anene, said she had not yet confirmed the incident. However, Sgt. James, a spokesman for the security task force OPWS, confirmed the killings. He stated that security forces were on their way back to Makurdi and would provide more details later.

The continued attacks have made farming and other daily activities impossible for the residents. Many hope that increased security will bring stability to the area.