Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Family, Two Others in Fresh Benue Attack

A deadly assault has rocked Benue State after gunmen killed a traditional ruler, his wife, and their son during a fresh attack on Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area.

The incident, which occurred on Thursday night, has heightened fears over rising insecurity in Benue State, particularly in rural communities that have suffered repeated attacks in recent weeks.

According to local sources, the assailants arrived on motorcycles and initially mingled with residents, creating a false sense of normalcy before launching their attack around 8 p.m. Witnesses said the gunmen stormed the residence of the monarch and opened fire, killing him alongside his wife and son.

READ ALSO:

• Ex-Super Eagles Striker Dies After Collapsing During Training
• Oyedepo Sparks Debate, Tells Members to Give Kidnappers His Phone Number if Abducted
• Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Gunrunner in Kaduna

Following the initial killings, the attackers reportedly moved to a nearby house, where two additional residents were shot dead, bringing the total number of fatalities to five. One person was also said to have sustained injuries during the incident.

Residents described the attack as swift and coordinated, noting that the gunmen operated for several minutes before fleeing the scene, leaving panic and grief in their wake.

Local authorities have confirmed the incident, while security operatives have since visited the community. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding arrests or the identity of the attackers.

The latest violence underscores growing concerns about herdsmen attacks in Benue and the persistent security challenges facing communities in the state. Stakeholders have continued to call for urgent government intervention to curb the wave of killings and restore peace in affected areas.

Gunmen Kill Traditional Ruler, Family, Two Others in Fresh Benue Attack

Oyedepo Sparks Debate, Tells Members to Give Kidnappers His Phone Number if Abducted

Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has stirred widespread reactions after asking members of his church to hand over his phone number to abductors if they are kidnapped, saying he has the spiritual authority to secure their release.

The cleric made the statement during a service at Canaanland in Ota, while delivering a sermon tagged #SupersonicSunday, which has since gone viral on social media amid Nigeria’s ongoing security concerns.

Addressing worshippers, Oyedepo urged them not to panic in the face of abduction but to act in faith. “If anybody picks you, give them my number,” he said, suggesting that kidnappers could be engaged directly through him.

He anchored his directive on past experiences, recounting instances where abducted members of his church allegedly regained freedom following what he described as spiritual interventions.

In one example, Oyedepo said a pastor linked to the church was kidnapped and allowed to contact him. According to the cleric, he warned the abductors to release the victim or face dire consequences within 24 hours, after which the captive was reportedly freed.

READ ALSO:

• Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Gunrunner in Kaduna
• VIDEO: Resident Raises Alarm Over Sighting of Armed Street Boys in Lekki
• VIDEO: Sirbalo’s Car Damaged by Agberos in Lagos After Refusing ₦200,000

He also narrated the case of a female church member who, while in captivity, declared she would regain freedom by a specific time through faith. He claimed the woman was later released following unexpected developments among her captors.

Oyedepo told congregants that such testimonies demonstrate that believers possess spiritual authority over fear, violence, and adversity. He urged members to rely on faith rather than fear, adding that they carry the same spiritual power and should learn to exercise it in difficult situations.

The remarks have since generated mixed reactions across social media platforms. While some supporters described the message as a demonstration of strong faith and leadership, others questioned the practicality and safety implications of advising kidnap victims to engage abductors in such a manner.

The development comes amid persistent kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, which continues to affect communities across the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South. Victims have included commuters, students, clerics, and residents in both rural and urban areas.

Security experts generally advise victims and their families to prioritise safety, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and avoid actions that could escalate risk during abduction incidents.

Oyedepo’s comments have further fueled public debate on the intersection of faith, security, and crisis response, as religious leaders increasingly weigh in on national insecurity and how citizens should respond.

Authorities have continued to emphasise vigilance and collaboration with security agencies as efforts intensify to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.

Oyedepo Sparks Debate, Tells Members to Give Kidnappers His Phone Number if Abducted

Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Gunrunner in Kaduna

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace, operating across Plateau State, Bauchi State, and Kaduna State, have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory and arrested suspected gunrunners in coordinated operations targeting criminal networks.

The military said the operations were part of intensified efforts to curb illegal arms proliferation, banditry, and communal violence across the North-Central and North-West regions.

The breakthrough in Plateau State followed a raid on an arms factory located in Gwandanu Village, Langtang North Local Government Area. According to the spokesperson of the operation, Captain Polycarp Oteh, troops stormed the location at about 5:00 p.m. on April 22, 2026, acting on credible intelligence.

During the operation, two suspects were arrested while allegedly fabricating sophisticated firearms, highlighting the growing sophistication of locally produced weapons in conflict-prone areas.

Troops recovered a significant cache of weapons and equipment, including two AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as fabrication tools such as generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, and other industrial equipment used in illegal arms production.

Security analysts say the discovery underscores concerns that locally fabricated weapons are increasingly being used to fuel violence in Plateau and neighbouring states.

READ ALSO:

• VIDEO: Resident Raises Alarm Over Sighting of Armed Street Boys in Lekki
• VIDEO: Sirbalo’s Car Damaged by Agberos in Lagos After Refusing ₦200,000
• “You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row

In a related operation in Kaduna State, troops deployed to Gidan Waya in Jema’a Local Government Area responded to an armed attack on members of the Forest Guards and Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

The troops, working with local security outfits, pursued the attackers towards the Jaginde Forest axis. On sighting advancing forces near Ungwar Maruwa, the suspects reportedly abandoned a motorcycle and fled into the bush.

One suspect was subsequently arrested, while a search of suspected hideouts led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an AK-49 rifle, a motorcycle, and other items, indicating possible links to organised criminal activity.

Military authorities confirmed that the arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing investigation to determine the extent of their arms distribution network and potential connections to wider criminal syndicates operating in the region.

Following the operations, troops have intensified mop-up and surveillance missions to track fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons believed to be in circulation.

Security experts note that the continued presence of illegal arms factories and gunrunning networks remains a major driver of insecurity, contributing to banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and attacks on rural communities.

The military reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and stability within the Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area, emphasising that it will continue to target sources of violence and disrupt criminal supply chains.

Residents in affected communities have been urged to support ongoing efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to enhance operations and prevent further attacks.

Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Gunrunner in Kaduna