The Benue State Police Command has debunked viral social media reports alleging a herdsmen attack in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, stating that no such incident occurred.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the command described the circulating claims as misleading and false, clarifying that the incident in question was an isolated shooting unrelated to any herdsmen activity.
According to the statement, at about 8:00 p.m. on June 21, 2025, police received a distress call reporting that one Aondoakaa Yayough had been shot dead along Akume Road in Wannune. Detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Preliminary investigations and eyewitness accounts identified the shooter as Saater Aii, an ex-convict. Although local security operatives initially apprehended him, he managed to escape. Two other individuals sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
An AK-47 rifle used in the attack was recovered at the scene, and police detectives are currently working to track down and arrest the suspect.
“There was no report of herdsmen in Wannune,” DSP Edet emphasized, urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information and to rely on official and credible sources for updates.