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At least 16 people have been killed in a fresh attack by suspected armed herders on Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, triggering widespread protests and renewed concerns over insecurity in the state.
The attackers reportedly invaded the community between 3:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, opening fire on residents and forcing many to flee.
Several others sustained injuries, while an unspecified number of people were reported missing after the assault.
The killings sparked protests by youths and women, who blocked major roads leading into Otukpo, including the Enugu–Otukpo and Makurdi–Otukpo highways, before marching to the palace of the Och’Idoma to demand urgent government intervention.
One of the protesters, Comfort Inalegwu, said she lost three family members in the attack, including her sister and two children.
“Some Fulani herdsmen, between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. today, attacked Nobi community in Otukpo, shooting sporadically, which made residents flee.
“At least 16 people were killed this morning during the attack. I lost my sister and two of her children in the attack.
“The Fulani entered her house and shot them. Their corpses are now at the morgue of Otukpo General Hospital.”
She added that many victims were still unaccounted for and warned that women in the area would sustain their protests and resist the conduct of elections until decisive action was taken to end the recurring attacks in Idoma communities.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as “a barbaric and inhuman assault on the sanctity of life and the collective soul of the people of Benue State.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said the attackers reportedly invaded Akpachi Village in Akpa, Otukpo Local Government Area, while residents were asleep, killing scores of people and leaving many others with varying degrees of injuries.
“These acts of mindless bloodshed are a direct attempt to sabotage the progress of our state.”
Alia said he shared in the grief of the victims and assured residents that the government would not allow criminal elements to force communities off their ancestral lands.
“Your lives are precious, and I can assure you that your ancestral lands will not be surrendered to fear.”
The governor directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols across vulnerable communities, collaborate with neighbouring states, and ensure those responsible for the killings were arrested and prosecuted.
He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to tackling insecurity across the state.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, and the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
