Fifteen victims of the July 28, 2026 attack on Efeyi-Utikpi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have been buried in a mass grave.

The victims, including women and children, were killed when suspected armed herders invaded the farming community in Ugboju District.

Their remains were laid to rest on Saturday amid tears and grief as residents, relatives and community members gathered to mourn the deceased.

The attack reportedly left several residents traumatised and homes destroyed, further worsening fears over the safety of rural communities in the state.

The mass burial came less than three weeks after eight people killed in another attack on Otukpo-Nobi were buried.

The July 12, 2026 attack claimed the lives of five adults and three children, according to the police.

The repeated attacks have heightened concerns over the security of farming communities in Benue, with residents calling for urgent government action to protect lives and property.

A representative of Equipping the Persecuted, a United States-based non-governmental organisation, reportedly announced financial assistance for families of the victims and local vigilante groups.

The latest burial has further highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on communities in Benue, where residents continue to face the threat of attacks while trying to go about their daily activities.

Community leaders have continued to appeal to the Federal and Benue State governments to strengthen security operations and prevent further killings.

For the bereaved families, Saturday’s mass burial marked a painful farewell to 15 loved ones whose lives were cut short in the deadly attack.

The Ogun State Police Command have recovered one English submachine gun and 75 live ammunition concealed inside a damaged wardrobe in Sagamu Local Government Area of the state.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the rifle was discovered while clearing a rented apartment previously occupied by a deceased landlord.

He noted that upon the report, operatives attached to Sakura Division promptly responded, secured the location and recovered the gun.

Babaseyi said, “On 5th August, 2026, at about 1300hrs, the Sakura Division promptly responded to a report that a firearm concealed inside a damaged wardrobe had been discovered while clearing a rented apartment previously occupied by a deceased landlord.

“Police personnel immediately secured the location and recovered one English Submachine Gun (SMG) rifle and seventy-five (75) rounds of live ammunition.”

He stated that the recovered exhibits have been secured and will be subjected to ballistic examination by the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Eleweran, Abeokuta, while investigation continues to establish how the firearm and ammunition came to be concealed at the location.

Also, operatives attached to Idi Oke Division foiled a cult gathering in the Igbesa area of the state and arrested 12 suspects.

Babaseyi stated that during the operation, assorted charms, battle axes, knives, cult paraphernalia, eight motorcycles, one black Lexus vehicle and one unregistered red Toyota Camry were recovered.

“On 3rd August, 2026, at about 1700hrs, acting proactively on credible intelligence, operatives of the Idi Oke Division responded to reports of suspected cultists harassing and extorting patrons at Harodous Hotel, Lattykay, Igbesa.

“Police personnel swiftly mobilised, cordoned off the area and arrested twelve (12) suspects, while several others fled. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, while those arrested will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.”

Also, in another development, operatives attached to Sagamu Division recovered an abandoned red Bajaj motorcycle near a mechanic workshop at Trailer Park, Kara, Sabo Sagamu.

The motorcycle has been secured, while investigation is ongoing to identify and locate the rightful owner and establish the circumstances surrounding its abandonment.

The PRO quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, to have reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic patrols, rapid response and sustained inter-agency collaboration to prevent crime, disrupt criminal activities and bring perpetrators to justice.

Ojajuni urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to the police through established channels.

Fifteen bandits were reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries after vigilantes ambushed a group of bandits operating around Gamo Forest in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The incident was contained in a post shared on X on Monday by security analyst Bakatsine.

According to the report, the vigilantes launched the ambush in the early hours of Sunday after receiving intelligence on bandits’ movement in the area.

The encounter reportedly resulted in the deaths of 15 bandits, while several others were wounded and fled the scene.

However, two vigilantes were also killed during the operation.

“Yesterday early hours (Sunday morning), vigilantes ambushed bandits operating around Gamo Forest in Gummi LGA, Zamfara State, after receiving intelligence about their movement.

The encounter reportedly left 15 bandits dead and several others wounded. Sadly, two vigilantes also lost their lives in the line of duty,” Bakatsine added.

The security analyst commended the vigilantes for their courage and sacrifice in confronting the armed group.