Panic has gripped Jato Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, as armed Fulani militants ambushed a detachment of Nigerian Army personnel deployed to rescue residents stranded on the town’s outskirts.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, led to intense gunfire, leaving one soldier critically injured with a gunshot wound to the lap. Another soldier remains missing following the assault, as efforts to locate him continue.
According to eyewitnesses, the injured soldier has been rushed to NKST Hospital in Jato Aka for emergency treatment, while fears of further attacks have thrown the community into panic. Many residents have begun fleeing their homes, fearing an escalation of violence.
A local source described the situation as volatile, stating, "People are running for their lives because we don’t know what will happen next. Jato Aka is not safe."
The Nigerian Army has yet to issue an official statement, but security forces are said to be intensifying efforts to restore calm and track down the assailants.
The situation in Jato Aka remains tense, with residents calling for immediate government intervention to prevent further bloodshed.