Residents of Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward, along the Otukpo–Ogobia Road in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, were thrown into panic on Thursday after suspected armed herders reportedly invaded the area, shot a resident and looted several provision stores.

The attack, which occurred between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., forced traders, customers and residents to flee for safety as the gunmen allegedly fired sporadically upon entering the community.

A resident said people had just begun their daily activities and shop owners were opening for business when the attackers suddenly emerged and opened fire.

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“We have all been on the alert since the attacks on neighbouring communities. So, when people sighted them, they raised the alarm, and everyone started running for safety.

“They moved into people’s shops, looted goods and food items before leaving. Unfortunately, one man was shot, but he was still alive when help arrived. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment,” the resident said.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, said the attackers were suspected armed herders.

“Yes, there was an attack this morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. by suspected armed herdsmen. They came to Ankpechi community in Oglewu Ward, shooting sporadically. They shot one person, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

“They burgled shops in the area and carted away goods, particularly food items. This tells you that they are operating very close to our communities. They could not get food elsewhere, so they came into Ohimini and used force to take food from our people.

“The residents identified them as armed herdsmen. The victim who was shot has been taken to the hospital, and we are hopeful that he will survive,” Adole said.

The council chairman disclosed that he immediately informed Governor Hyacinth Alia and alerted security agencies after the attack, prompting the deployment of security operatives to the affected community.

“I informed the governor immediately, and security personnel were promptly deployed to the area. Many security operatives are currently on the ground, while others are combing the surrounding bushes,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comments.

The latest attack comes amid growing concerns over recurring assaults on communities in Benue State, with residents calling for stronger security measures to stem the wave of violence.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to immediately step aside pending the outcome of investigations into the death of Miss Mary Habila, a staff member who died at the minister’s residence in Uburu, Ebonyi State.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, Atiku said suspending Umahi during the investigation would demonstrate accountability and strengthen public confidence in the process.

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Habila, a 26-year-old from Nok in Southern Kaduna, died on June 27, 2026, at a building within Umahi’s residence in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Expressing sympathy to the deceased’s family, Atiku said condolences alone were not enough without uncovering the truth behind her death.

“First, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Habila family. No family should have to mourn a daughter taken in the prime of her life while also fighting simply to learn the truth of how she died,” he said.

The former vice-president raised concerns over the pace of the investigation, alleging that no autopsy had yet been conducted and noting that the probe remained under the Ebonyi State Police Command, where Umahi previously served as governor.

Atiku, however, stressed that he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing, insisting that only an independent and transparent investigation could establish the facts.

“Let me be clear: I make no pronouncement on anyone’s guilt or innocence. That is precisely the point. Only a credible, independent, and transparent investigation can establish the truth,” he stated.

According to Atiku, the death of a young Nigerian inside the residence of a serving minister demands the highest level of transparency and accountability.

He urged President Tinubu to direct Umahi to step aside while investigations continue.

“President Bola Tinubu must direct the Honourable Minister of Works to step aside immediately, pending the conclusion of investigations. This is not a punishment; it is the minimum standard of public accountability in any serious democracy,” Atiku said.

The former presidential candidate also called on the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the investigation from the Ebonyi State Police Command to the Force Headquarters and involve independent forensic experts.

He further demanded that a comprehensive forensic autopsy be conducted without delay and that the findings be made public.

Atiku also appealed for protection for Habila’s family, urging authorities to ensure they have unrestricted access to information about the circumstances surrounding her death without intimidation.

Meanwhile, Umahi had earlier requested that the police carry out a forensic autopsy by qualified pathologists to determine the exact cause of Habila’s death.

He also asked that her remains should not be released to her family until the autopsy and other investigations are concluded.

A devastating fire has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including several children, after an orphanage in Algeria’s capital, Algiers, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Thursday.

The deadly incident occurred in the Mohammadia suburb as Algeria continues to grapple with an intense heatwave that has triggered hundreds of wildfires across the country’s northern regions.

Firefighters responded to the scene before dawn and battled the blaze for hours in an effort to contain the flames.

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A nearby resident, Abdessalam Merrah, recounted the horrifying moments when the fire broke out.

“At around 3 a.m., we heard the fire engines arriving and the children screaming,” he said.
“We helped as much as we could, but unfortunately we were told that 11 people had already died.”

Authorities said the death toll is provisional, while 19 other people were injured in the fire. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.

Images from the scene showed blackened window frames and heavy fire damage to the orphanage.

A witness said firefighters had to use a chainsaw to cut through metal window bars to gain access to parts of the building during the rescue operation.

Rachid Belhadj, head of the forensic medicine department at Mustapha Bacha Hospital, said several of the victims were burned beyond recognition, making DNA testing necessary to confirm their identities.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune later confirmed that “several children” were among those killed in the tragedy.

National television also broadcast footage of Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visiting survivors receiving treatment at two hospitals in Algiers.

932 Fires Recorded in One Week
The orphanage tragedy comes as Algeria battles a severe heatwave that has fuelled widespread wildfires across the country.

According to the Civil Defence, 932 fires were recorded between July 8 and July 15, with the majority already extinguished while a handful remain active.

The worsening fire crisis has also claimed the life of a municipal worker who died while battling a wildfire in the northern province of Setif earlier this week.

To contain the fires, authorities have deployed more than 19,000 emergency personnel, over 700 fire trucks, six helicopters, and 12 water-bombing aircraft.

Residents have also been evacuated from several affected provinces, including Bejaia, Guelma, Bouira, and Mila, as emergency teams continue to battle the blazes.

Northern Algeria is hit by forest fires almost every summer, with experts pointing to prolonged drought and climate change as major factors behind the worsening outbreaks.

Authorities have also said they suspect some of the fires were deliberately started, with several suspects already taken into custody.