Kill Six Christians, Abduct 14 Passengers in New Benue Attacks
By Ekani Olikita
(Makurdi) At least six Christians were killed and fourteen abducted in renewed coordinated attacks by armed Fulani militia across Benue State on Monday.
The attacks were made on Monday, February 9, 2026, and carried out by armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM), barely 24 hours after the abduction of worshippers from a Catholic church in the state.
The first attack occurred at about 5:30 p.m. along the Adoka–Entekpa–Omogidi road in Adoka Precinct of Otukpo County (Local Government Area), where heavily armed assailants reportedly mounted a roadblock, opened fire on commuters and killed four of them on the spot
Eyewitnesses said the attackers operated for several minutes without resistance, forcing vehicles to stop before selectively shooting and robbing occupants.
“They stopped every vehicle and asked people to come down. Once they realized you were Christian, you were in danger. Four people were killed right there. We are living in fear because this road has become a death trap,” Ngbede Ofoine, a witness told TruthNigeria.
About two hours later, at approximately 7:15 p.m., another group of the militia reportedly hijacked a commercial bus conveying 14 passengers said to be Christians, travelling from Obi/Oju axis to Okpokwu County (Local Government Area). The bus was diverted into nearby bush paths and all passengers were abducted.
During the attack, two of the commuters were reportedly shot dead while resisting the abduction, according to local sources.
“They tried to escape when the gunmen forced the bus off the main road,” said Mrs. Eunice Oche, a resident of Okpokwu whose relative was among the abducted passengers. “The gunmen shot two people immediately. Since then, we have not heard anything about the others, she told TruthNigeria.”
The latest attacks came less than 24 hours after the abduction of nine Christian worshippers from St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije, in Utonkon Precinct of Ado County (Local Government Area, where armed men stormed a night vigil at about 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026, and whisked worshippers into the bush
Residents say the pattern of attacks, targeting roads, churches and rural communities, suggests a deliberate and coordinated campaign to wipe out Christian populace.
“This is no longer random banditry,” said Mr. Patrick Idoko, a community Youth Leader in Otukpo. “They know the roads, they know the time people move, and they target Christian commuters almost simultaneously in different places. They are hellbent to wipe away Christians. Our people feel abandoned”, he told TruthNigeria.
Security Agencies have Failed Us
Community leaders and residents accused security agencies of failing to provide adequate protection despite repeated warnings and previous attacks in the area. They also expressed frustration over what they described as slow or absent response during the incidents.
“There was no security presence anywhere near the scene,” Idoko added. “By the time help came, the attackers were long gone with their victims.”
A security analyst, John Ikwulono, in an interview with TruthNigeria, warned that the situation in Benue reflects a broader security breakdown across Nigeria’s Middle Belt if urgent measures are not taken.
“These attacks show a high level of planning, mobility, and intelligence gathering by armed groups,” Ikwulono said. “Blocking roads and coordinating abductions of Christians within hours indicates operational confidence. Without sustained military presence, improved intelligence and community collaboration, these groups will continue to exploit security gaps.”
He also warned that repeated attacks on Christian communities and places of worship could inflame sectarian tensions if not decisively addressed.
Benue State has witnessed a surge in violent attacks in recent weeks, with dozens reportedly killed and several abducted across multiple counties (local government areas). Civil society groups and religious leaders have continued to call on the federal government to declare a security emergency in the state and protect vulnerable communities.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies regarding the latest incidents, and the whereabouts of the abducted passengers and church worshippers remain unknown.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
