Residents of Olena, a community in Asa, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, have fled their homes following a series of brutal attacks by suspected herdsmen.
According to reports, the village has been under sustained assault for the past four days, resulting in multiple casualties and several cases of abduction.
A resident who spoke with Daily Post recounted the harrowing ordeal, stating that villagers were left with no choice but to abandon their homes late Monday night after realizing that no assistance was forthcoming from security agencies.
“I am currently in Upu. I fled with my family in the dead of night. Right now, the entire community has been deserted. Olena has been under siege for days,” the resident disclosed.
He further lamented the lack of intervention despite numerous calls for help. “They have killed and kidnapped several people. We have been crying out, but no security personnel have come to our aid. I barely managed to escape with my family tonight. Olena is still under attack as we speak,” he added.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage obtained by the media show terrified residents scrambling for safety under the cover of darkness as gunfire echoed through the village. The scenes depict a community in distress, with families abandoning their homes and belongings in a desperate bid to save their lives.
The persistent attacks have sparked fear and uncertainty among neighboring communities, raising concerns about the escalating insecurity in Benue State and the broader Middle Belt region. Many displaced villagers are now seeking refuge in surrounding towns and villages, relying on the goodwill of relatives and humanitarian groups for shelter and support.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies or the Benue State Government regarding the attacks. Community leaders and concerned citizens are calling on authorities to take immediate action to restore peace, provide relief to displaced residents, and apprehend those responsible for the violence.
The latest assault on Olena highlights the worsening security situation in parts of Nigeria, where rural communities frequently bear the brunt of violent incursions with little to no protection. The affected residents continue to appeal for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed and restore normalcy to their homeland.
