Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The darkness of the Kyado–Jootar road was pierced by the sound of gunfire around midnight on Thursday, August 13, 2026, when suspected criminal Tiv militias attacked a Dangote truck, killing its driver and a female passenger in yet another brutal act of violence in Benue State's Ukum Local Government Area. The attack, which has renewed fears over the safety of motorists plying one of Benue's most dangerous routes, came to light when troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducting a night-fighting patrol around Igbayima stumbled upon the grisly scene.
According to security analyst and conflict reporter Zagazola Makama, the soldiers encountered the Dangote truck, bearing registration number OPL-1B-029, and found the two victims lifeless inside the vehicle. The identity of the woman remains unknown, while the truck driver, whose name has not been released, was identified as an employee of the cement giant. Preliminary investigations by security forces indicated that the victims were killed by suspected criminal Tiv militias operating in the area, groups that have been increasingly linked to kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes along the axis.
Troops recovered 11 empty casings of 7.62mm Special ammunition at the scene, suggesting that the victims were shot during a sustained attack. The discovery of the shell casings points to a violent confrontation, with the assailants firing multiple rounds into the truck before fleeing into the surrounding bush. The bodies of the deceased were evacuated to the mortuary in Kyado, and the incident was formally reported to the police for further investigation.
The Kyado–Jootar road, a critical artery connecting communities in Ukum LGA, has become a hotspot for armed criminal activity. In recent months, the route has witnessed a series of attacks targeting motorists, traders and travellers, with armed groups allegedly involved in kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes. The killing of the Dangote truck driver and the woman has heightened concerns about the safety of commuters and the growing impunity of criminal militias operating in the area.
Security forces have reportedly commenced efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings, but the attack underscores the challenges facing troops and police in securing the region. The presence of criminal militias, some of which are suspected to have ties to kidnapping syndicates, has made the Kyado–Jootar axis a dangerous corridor for travellers. The use of 7.62mm ammunition, a calibre commonly associated with AK-47 rifles, indicates the firepower at the disposal of the attackers.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and stakeholders, who have called on the government to take urgent action to secure the area. The state government has repeatedly pledged to address the security challenges in Ukum LGA and other parts of Benue, but the persistent attacks suggest that more needs to be done. The killing of a driver and a passenger on a routine journey is a stark reminder of the human cost of insecurity in the region.
As security forces continue their investigation, the bodies of the victims remain at the Kyado mortuary, awaiting identification and burial. The Dangote truck, a symbol of commerce and livelihood, now stands as a grim monument to the violence that has claimed yet more lives on Benue's roads. The people of Ukum LGA and the wider Benue State are left to mourn the dead and wonder when the cycle of bloodshed will finally end.
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