Bandits Unleash Fresh Attack On Ortom’s Hometown, Police Confirm Four Deaths

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that four people were killed after suspected bandits attacked Abaushwa community in Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondona, who confirmed the incident, said the attack is under investigation and assured that efforts are underway to arrest those responsible.

The midnight assault occurred on Monday while residents were asleep. Abaushwa is the hometown of former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

According to residents, the gunmen stormed the community, forced their way into several homes and attacked occupants without warning.

A community source said three people were killed during the initial attack, while several others sustained injuries.

The injured victims were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba for treatment, but one of them later died, increasing the death toll to four.

“They came and attacked the community without any provocation, killing people in their sleep. They forced open the doors of their victims and murdered them inside their houses.

“Three persons were killed during the attack, while several others sustained injuries. The injured were taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba, but one of them later died, bringing the death toll to four.

“Several people are still missing, and search efforts are ongoing. We hope they will be found alive,” the source said.

The attack has left residents in fear, with security operatives and community members continuing efforts to locate those who remain missing.

Following the incident, former Executive Secretary of the Benue State Teaching Service Board, Dr. Frank Kyungun, visited the affected community alongside former Governor Samuel Ortom and other prominent indigenes.

Kyungun described the attack as a senseless and unprovoked assault on innocent residents.

“It was an unprovoked attack by armed herdsmen. They came at about midnight and launched a heavy assault on the community. They killed four people and left several others injured. Those wounded have been taken to the General Hospital in Gbajimba,” he said.

He explained that the delegation visited the community to sympathise with bereaved families and urged residents to remain calm while security agencies investigate the incident.

“We accompanied the former governor to sympathise with our people and urged them to remain calm and allow the police to carry out their investigations,” he added.

Kyungun also lamented the repeated attacks on communities in the area, noting that residents had consistently exercised restraint despite suffering losses.

“What happened is deeply unfortunate. Our people resolved long ago to stop eating beef, and it is not even sold in our markets because we wanted to avoid any conflict. Even when our farmlands are destroyed by grazing cattle, our people have continued to exercise restraint.

“We cannot understand why innocent people should be killed without any provocation. It is a sad and painful development,” he said.

The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area, Morris Orwough, also condemned the attack, describing it as tragic and unacceptable.

In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Communication and Strategy, Ernest Tortiv, Orwough expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

He disclosed that security personnel had been deployed to Abaushwa to restore normalcy, protect residents and prevent further attacks.

The council chairman also appealed to residents to remain calm and support security agencies with useful information that could aid the investigation.

Confirming the incident, DSP Peter Aondona said the police had commenced investigations and intensified efforts to apprehend the perpetrators.

“I can confirm that there was an attack in Guma LGA in which four persons were killed by suspected bandits. Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice,” he said.