Fulani Militia Kill Teacher, Wife in Renewed Benue Attack
In Another Incident, Kidnappers Reveal Bias Against Christians in Ransom Demands
By Ekani Olikita
(Makurdi) Armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) on Tuesday killed Primary School Teacher and his wife in Gwer West County, Benue State.
In the same renewed wave of violence, six travelers were also abducted.
The separate attacks occurred on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, deepening fears among residents of the troubled local government.
Teacher, Wife Killed in Naka
At about 8:30 p.m., armed Fulani Militia reportedly invaded Asase Ugbede settlement in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West county (Local Government Area) and shot dead a primary school teacher, married to two wives but who still identified himself as a Christian, Mr. Christopher Mule, a common practice in some parts of Nigeria. h
His second wife sustained serious gunshot injuries and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Naka.
“We heard gunshots and people screaming,” said a medical practitioner, Samuel Udam, to TruthNigeria. “The attackers were speaking Fulani Language and chanting Allahu Akbar. By the time help came, the teacher and his wife were already dead,” Udam said.
“One of his divorced wives who came from Makurdi for reconciliation sustained life-threatening gunshots and is receiving medical treatment in Naka. We are living in constant fear. Naka is no longer safe,” Udam added.
Another resident, Mr. Joseph Ushahemba, described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern.
“This is not the first time these Fulani attackers strike at night and disappear into the bush. Our farmers can no longer go to their farms. We feel abandoned,” he told TruthNigeria.
A Community leader in the area, Damian Attah, called for urgent government intervention.
“Security presence here is inadequate. If nothing is done urgently, more innocent lives will be lost,” he warned.
Six Travelers Abducted
Earlier the same day at about 5:10 a.m., armed Fulani Terrorists, numbering about 20 reportedly blocked the Makurdi–Naka road at Kula village and intercepted a vehicle conveying six passengers from Ankpa in Kogi State to Makurdi, the Benue State Capital
All six passengers were whisked into the bush, but the driver was later released.
Four Islamic clerics said to be members of the Ansar-ud-Deen Society, were mistaken to be Christians because of their clothing were among the six abducted.
The driver of the vehicle, Mr. Adaji Ojocheni, who spoke to TruthNigeria Correspondent at Adoka Motor Park in Makurdi, alleged that the kidnappers were Fulani-speaking gunmen.
“I heard them speaking Fulfulde and chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as they dragged the passengers away. They initially took me too but released me when they noticed I limp. Four Muslim leaders were among the six people kidnapped as the kidnappers could not differentiate them now,” he recounted.
He said the abductors had contacted families of the two Christian victims and were demanding One-hundred-million-naira ($600,000) ransom for their release.
“The abductors were asking for One hundred million Naira to release the two Christian victims but were silent about the four Muslim abductees, it is possible they might have regained freedom because of their religious identity”, he told TruthNigeria.
The Makurdi–Naka region has in recent years become notorious for kidnappings and armed attacks by Fulani Ethnic Militia, forcing many commuters to limit travel on the route, especially at dawn and dusk.
The incident underscores the growing kidnap-for-ransom industry in Nigeria. According to a report by SBM Intelligence, at least 7,568 people were abducted in 1,130 kidnap incidents across the country between July 2023 and June 2024, with no fewer than ₦1.048 billion paid as ransom within that period
Gwer-West County Chairman Reacts
Chairman of Gwer West County (Local Government Area), Mr. Victor Ormin, condemned the killings and abductions, describing them as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
“We strongly condemn the murder of the teacher and his wife. This is a painful loss to the entire local government. We are working closely with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended,” he said.
As tensions rise in Gwer West, residents say urgent and sustained security action is needed to halt the cycle of killings and kidnappings that has gripped parts of Benue State.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
