Residents of Ugboju communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have reportedly fled their homes following a fresh armed attack that left a 15-year-old boy dead, one person missing and herd of cattle rustled.

The attack, which occurred at about 7am on Monday in Olahimu village of Ugboju district in Otukpo LGA allegedly targeted a herd of cattle belonging to the family of the late Ardo Risku Muhammad, who was killed in a similar attack weeks ago.

In a statement issued on behalf of the family, Muhammed Idris said his 15-year-old younger brother, Muhammad Isiyaku, was shot dead during the attack, while four other persons initially declared missing were later accounted for, except one labourer, Saidu Musa, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

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He added that about 500 cattle were rustled during the invasion, although some were later recovered during a search around the Okwudu axis, several were reportedly killed, while others remain missing.

The family said the incident had been reported to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ogoli Ugboju, who visited the scene with his team as investigations commenced.

Confirming the development, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said he immediately alerted the District Head and the Divisional Police Officer after receiving a distress call from Idris that the attack was ongoing.

He said that security personnel and local youths were mobilised to the area, but one victim had already been killed before they arrived, while the attackers had fled with the cattle.

Ogiri expressed concern over the rising wave of attacks in the area, recalling that armed men had recently rustled cattle from a ranch in Jericho village in Ugboju and carried out raids on neighbouring communities.

He disclosed that the latest attack has forced many residents of the affected communities to flee for safety due to fear of further violence.

The council chairman, however, said security deployment had been reinforced in the area, noting that many police officers, alongside other security agencies, were currently operating within Otukpo LGA.

The family of the victim has appealed to the Benue State government, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the missing labourer, recover the remaining cattle and strengthen security across Olahimu, Ogoli Ugboju and surrounding border communities.

They also urged members of the public with useful information to assist security agencies in tracking the attackers.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to get any details about the incident. (Daily Trust)

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