The latest development was disclosed by Nathabiel Ikyur, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom.

He said the woman was returning from Daudu to Gbajimba on a motorcycle around 8pm on Thursday when she was ambushed and shot between Kaseyo and Torkula.

"She was then taken to Gbajimba General Hospital around 11pm for medical attention where doctors have been giving her the needed attention to save her life," the statement read.

"She was shot through the right hip through the abdomen, injuring the uterus. Doctors attending to her at the hospital said the fetus is already dead as the bullets had cut the intestines in several places.

"They explained that they had to deliver the baby via CS, repaired and anastomosed the bowels. They hinted of a suspicion of a fracture of the right hip bone."

Herdsmen have been terrorising Benue for several years now.