Over 10 residents have been feared dead following a late-night attack on the Ankpali community in Apa Local Council of Benue State, in yet another incident showing the worsening insecurity in the area.

The assault which occurred on Sunday night, threw the rural settlement into mourning, with several persons still unaccounted for as search efforts continue.

Residents said the attackers, described as armed Fulani militia, stormed the village under the cover of darkness and opened fire indiscriminately, sparking panic and forcing many families to flee for safety.

It was gathered that last year, 13 people were killed in the same village by Fulani herdsmen.

Reacting to the incident, the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Ojotu Ojema, condemned the killings, describing them as “barbaric, senseless and a tragic reminder of the persistent security challenges” facing the constituency and Benue State at large.

This comes as students and parents in Jos have expressed safety concerns ahead of the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, citing recent security challenges in the state.

The apprehension follows reports of attacks in some communities across Plateau, particularly in Jos North, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa and other local government areas, where candidates have been posted to sit for the test.

The development has heightened fears among candidates and their families over their safety.

One of the candidates, Afodia Joseph, lamented her posting to Bokkos, describing the area as volatile in view of recent incidents.

Mrs Roseline Moses, who spoke with journalists, stressed that the safety of candidates must be prioritised, especially in areas with known security challenges.

Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Jos North LGA Chapter, Abdullahi Salihu Malami, has called on JAMB to urgently review its posting strategy ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Malami said the call followed complaints from concerned parents and stakeholders, including faith-based groups, over the safety and welfare of candidates scheduled to sit for the examination between April 25 and May 5, particularly as candidates are required to report to centres as early as 6:30 a.m. each day.

He noted that candidates have been posted to distant places, and in some cases, security-sensitive areas such as Bassa, Bokkos, Riyom, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Jos North and Jos South, without adequate consideration for prevailing security and logistical realities.

Efforts to reach officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. (The Guardian)

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