Suspected Fulani cattle rustlers have reportedly attacked Okpafie community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing two persons and rustling more than 40 cows.

The attack was said to have occurred on Tuesday night at Oyilawu village in Okonobo Ward.

Residents said one of the victims, identified as Benjamin, a native of Okpafie, was killed during the assault, while the attackers allegedly made away with over 40 cows.

A local source, who requested anonymity, disclosed that many of the community’s youths were watching a football match when the gunmen struck, delaying any immediate response.

According to the source, the attackers had already fled with the cattle before the youths mobilised.

The source further alleged that a member of the local vigilante was also killed at Aidogodo while attempting to stop the assailants from escaping with the rustled livestock.

DAILY POST recalls that this incident comes after suspected armed herders attacked Sai community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, where several people were feared killed, many others injured and houses set ablaze, forcing residents to flee.

Authorities have yet to release an official casualty figure for that attack.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the latest attack in Okpokwu.

A 43-year-old operative of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, identified as Stanley Emeni, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

DAILY POST reports that the deceased was killed during a joint operation by security operatives to rescue Mr Tuesday Osemeke, a 60-year-old farmer abducted by kidnappers in Igbanke, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police  Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, July 2, 2026 in Benin City.

Ikoedem said the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, in company with

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Innocent Nkeamatara, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

She explained that on June 26, 2026, operatives of Igbanke Division, in collaboration with operatives of ESSC, hunters and members of the Community Safety Partnership, launched an aggressive bush-combing operation following the abduction of a 60-year-old farmer, Mr. Tuesday Osemeke by suspected kidnappers.

According to her, the coordinated operation led to the successful rescue of the victim unharmed following a gun duel with his abductors who fled with gunshot injuries.

“During the operation, Mr. Stanley Emenin sustained gunshot injuries while courageously confronting the criminals. Sadly, despite efforts to save his life, he later succumbed to his injuries on Monday 29/6/2026 at the Hospital,” the police spokesperson said.

Ikoedem added that during the visit

to the bereaved family at Idumodu Community, Igbanke, the police  commissioner described the late Stanley Emenin as a brave, selfless and patriotic community protector whose courage and commitment to the safety of others will never be forgotten.

Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner of Police also expressed the heartfelt condolences of the officers and men of the Edo State Police Command to the deceased’s family, friends, and the entire Igbanke community.

While praying that God grants the family  the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, he reassured the family and members of the community that the sacrifice of the fallen vigilante would not be in vain.

“The memory of the late Stanley Emenin remains a shining example of patriotism and selfless service that will continue to inspire all those committed to protecting lives and property,” he added.

Agbonika stressed that the command remains resolute in its determination to rid Edo State of criminal elements

He also disclosed that the command has already reviewed aspects of its Community Safety Partnership operational framework with a view to strengthening collaboration, enhancing operational planning, improving intelligence sharing, and implementing additional safety measures.

He said the measures are aimed at reducing casualties among personnel and community volunteers involved in joint security operations.

Families of several young men arrested over the killing of Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, have appealed to security agencies to release their children, insisting they had no involvement in the murder.

The parents claimed the suspects were arrested during a police raid at a local food joint in Otukpo, far from Okwudu community in Ohimini Local Government Area, where the Fulani leader was killed.

One of the mothers, who spoke through activist Meddy Olotu, said her 21-year-old son, Huseni, had only gone to eat after returning from his daily farm work when police officers stormed the area and arrested everyone at the scene.

“My son came back from his daily job and decided to go and eat. Suddenly, the police came and raided the place.

They didn’t even tell them what they had done. They simply arrested them while they were eating,” she said.

She maintained that her son was merely a farm labourer with no link to the killing.

“My son is just a farm labourer. He does not even know how to use a gun, let alone kill anyone. I appeal to the Federal Government to help us and release my child. They are suffering in Makurdi,” she added.

Huseni’s father, Mr. Huseni Adama, also insisted his son was innocent, saying he and another young man were picked up while eating near the Total Filling Station after returning from work.

“My son and another tenant’s son came back from work and were eating around the Total Filling Station when they were arrested. My son is still very young. They took them to Makurdi.

“Whenever I went to the bush to fetch firewood, he always followed me. Since they took him away, I can hardly eat. All his siblings are crying. My son is innocent,” he said.

Another mother, whose son, Adakole John, is among those in custody, denied any connection between her son and the killing.

“My son, Adakole John, was arrested at the food joint near Total Filling Station in Otukpo while he was eating. He never went to Okwudu. He was arrested in Otukpo town after the police raided the place,” she said.

Adakole’s father, who identified himself as a security guard at St. Jude, said his son was not allowed to contact the family after his arrest.

“He is the one taking care of me. I am begging the Idoma people and the authorities to help us. My son is innocent,” he pleaded.

The relatives of another suspect, 18-year-old Owiocho, said he works as a photographer and was equally arrested during the police operation despite having no involvement in the incident.

According to the family, Owiocho had gone to the food joint after work when officers carried out the raid and arrested everyone present.

The families urged the police to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation, stressing that only those directly connected to the killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed should face prosecution.

They appealed to the authorities to release anyone found not to be involved, arguing that innocent citizens should not continue to suffer for an offence they did not commit.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not disclosed the outcome of its investigation or arraigned the suspects before any court.