Fear and Flight in Ortese as Fresh Attacks Leave Trail of Death, Abductions, and Displacement

Residents of Ortese community in Benue State are grappling with renewed fear and grief following a deadly attack that has left at least five people confirmed dead, several others missing, and many families fleeing their homes in panic. The latest violence occurred on Tuesday, just two days after a similar attack on Daudu that reportedly claimed the lives of two people, raising alarm over the worsening security situation in the area and the apparent boldness of the attackers.

According to local sources, the assailants struck with precision and coordination, targeting both the highway and nearby bushes in what residents described as a carefully planned ambush. “They attacked us on Tuesday, just two days after the Daudu incident,” a source said. “So far, five bodies have been recovered, but we believe more may still be found because several people are unaccounted for.” The statement reflects growing fears that the casualty figure may rise as search efforts continue and as families desperately look for loved ones who have not returned.

Among the victims was Tersoo Uker, who residents identified as an Internally Displaced Person. Uker was said to have gone behind the IDP camp at Igyungu Aze to gather grass for roofing a temporary shelter. Due to severe congestion in the camp, many displaced persons have been forced to erect makeshift structures on the outskirts, exposing them to heightened danger. His death has become a painful symbol of the vulnerability faced by displaced communities who are already fleeing earlier waves of violence, only to encounter fresh threats in supposed places of refuge.

Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of how the attack unfolded. Residents alleged that the attackers barricaded the Ortese–Yogbo road, effectively cutting off movement and trapping unsuspecting travelers. According to a youth leader in the community, the attackers blocked the road completely before opening fire. “Some people were killed on the spot, while others ran into the bushes where they were pursued,” he said. The claim suggests that the attackers were not only intent on disrupting movement but also on inflicting maximum harm by chasing fleeing victims into surrounding areas.

Beyond the confirmed deaths, the fate of several residents remains unknown. Multiple sources reported that some people were captured alive during the attack, heightening fears about possible abductions. Families are said to be living in agonizing uncertainty, unsure whether their missing relatives are hiding, injured, or being held by the attackers. The possibility that residents were taken alive has intensified anxiety across Ortese and neighboring communities, many of which have experienced similar patterns of violence in recent months.

The immediate aftermath of the attack has been marked by chaos and displacement. Many families have fled Ortese community, seeking safety in nearby towns or overcrowded IDP camps. Those who remain are said to be living in constant fear, wary of traveling on major roads or venturing into farms and bushes for daily survival activities. The exodus has further strained already limited resources in surrounding areas, compounding a humanitarian situation that residents say is rapidly deteriorating.

Community leaders have expressed frustration over what they describe as repeated attacks with little visible improvement in security. They argue that the frequency of the assaults suggests that the attackers operate with confidence, exploiting gaps in surveillance and response. Some residents claim that warnings have been issued in the past about rising threats along key routes like the Ortese–Yogbo road, but that preventive measures have been inadequate or slow to materialize.

The latest violence has also reignited conversations about the safety of internally displaced persons across Benue State. IDP camps, often set up as emergency shelters, are increasingly congested and poorly secured. As seen in the case of Tersoo Uker, displaced persons are sometimes forced to venture outside camp boundaries to gather basic materials such as grass, firewood, or water, exposing them to attacks. Aid workers and residents alike warn that without improved protection and infrastructure, the camps may continue to place vulnerable populations at risk.

At the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for official comments were unsuccessful. The lack of immediate response has further fueled concern among residents, many of whom are calling for a stronger security presence and clearer communication from authorities. Community members say timely information and visible action are critical to restoring confidence and preventing further bloodshed.

As Ortese mourns its dead and searches for the missing, the broader implications of the attack are hard to ignore. The incident underscores the persistent insecurity facing many rural communities in Benue State and highlights the fragile reality of displacement, where fleeing violence does not always guarantee safety. For families who have once again been forced to abandon their homes, the future remains uncertain, defined by fear, loss, and the hope that meaningful intervention will come before the next attack strikes.