The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of three farmers during an attack by armed persons from a neighbouring community while they were working on their farmland, in a renewed communal clash.
The victims, identified as Ogbewa Audu, Isah Idris, and Otuoje Joseph, a female farmer, were allegedly ambushed and shot dead while tending to their farm.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Ikobi community, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a resident, Moses Ajeinu, who reported the incident to the police, the two neighbouring communities have been engaged in a long-standing dispute for unknown reasons.
The Divisional Police Officer of the area reportedly received a distress call about the attack, prompting the deployment of security operatives to the scene.
Upon arrival, the police documented the incident, recovered the bodies, and deposited them in a mortuary.
The Benue State Police Criminal Investigation Department, which also confirmed the incident, said it has commenced a full investigation to identify those responsible for the attack.
The command further assured residents of intensified security patrols to prevent further escalation of violence in the affected community.