Suspected herdsmen kill 18 in renewed attack on Benue community

…Alia, Olofu, Maro condemn attack

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly killed more than 18 persons in another early morning attack on Otukpo Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government, Benue State.

Residents who spoke with newsmen said the attackers stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday, shooting at random, killing scores of people and leaving many others injured.

Chairman of Otukpo LG, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack, explaining that the killings actually began on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Ogiri said: “You know, I am sure the news of the death of Ardo Risku Muhammad is no longer news to you. If you understand the mindset of the people we are dealing with, you should also know that reprisals were likely to occur.

“Before today, on Friday, in Apachi village here in Otukpo, three persons went to the farm to work when bandits attacked them and killed two of them. One person escaped and alerted the community.

“The following day, we mobilised to the farm to ascertain what had happened. We found the two corpses, brought them home and buried them on Saturday.

“We have remained vigilant throughout. We believed we had combed the bushes thoroughly and that no one was hiding in the area to launch any attack. Unfortunately, at about 4 a.m. on Sunday, we received reports that they had invaded Otukpo Nobi, killing several people and injuring many others.

“We are trying to calm the youths to prevent them from venting their anger on innocent passers-by. They took the corpses of the victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma in protest.

“That was part of the protest. When people are frightened, helpless and grieving, it is difficult to predict how they will react.”

The chairman said the confirmed death toll stood at 10 at the time, comprising two persons killed in Apachi on Friday and eight others murdered in Otukpo Nobi on Sunday morning.

He added that several others sustained injuries.

“For those who survived the attack, we are making arrangements to move them to safer locations and ensure they receive adequate care. Security has also been reinforced in the area,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, community members, including women and youths, had taken to the major streets of Otukpo, including the palace of the Och’Idoma, protesting the killings.

One of the protesters, Comfort Inalegwu, told journalists on the telephone that: “Some Fulani herdsmen attacked Nobi community between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee.

“At least 16 people were killed this morning. I lost my sister and two of her children. The attackers entered her house and shot them. Their bodies have been deposited at the mortuary of the Otukpo General Hospital.”

According to her, many residents were still missing, while several injured victims were receiving treatment at the General Hospital.

Inalegwu said women had resolved to continue their protest and would resist any election in the area until government takes decisive steps to end the persistent killings in Idoma land.

Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said: “I’ll give details when I get them. Please bear with me.”

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, condemned the attack, describing it as “not only a breach of peace but also a barbaric and inhuman assault on the sanctity of life and the collective soul of the people of Benue State.”

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said suspected armed herdsmen invaded Akpachi village in Akpa, Otukpo LG  , between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. while residents were asleep, killing scores and injuring many others.

Alia lamented that the attack occurred despite ongoing efforts by his administration, traditional rulers and security agencies to restore lasting peace.

“These acts of mindless bloodshed are a direct attempt to sabotage the progress of our state,” he said.

He assured the people of Otukpo and the entire Benue South Senatorial District that their ancestral lands would not be surrendered to fear.

“My government stands firmly with you, and we will not allow our communities to be turned into killing fields,” the governor declared.

Alia directed all security agencies operating in the state to collaborate with their counterparts in neighbouring states and intensify surveillance and patrols across vulnerable communities and border areas.

He further ordered security agencies to pursue the attackers relentlessly, ensure their arrest and prosecution, and deploy additional personnel to prevent further attacks.

The governor also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible intelligence.

While sympathising with the bereaved families and wishing the injured speedy recovery, Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

Also reacting, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for the forthcoming election and former Commissioner for Finance in Benue State, Dr. David Olofu, sympathised with the people of Otukpo and urged both the Federal and Benue State governments to prioritise the protection of vulnerable communities in Benue South.

He also called on security agencies to rise to their constitutional responsibilities and ensure justice for the victims.

Residents of Otukpo staged a peaceful protest, carrying some of the victims’ bodies to the palace of the paramount ruler of the Idoma people, the Och’Idoma, Dr. John Odogbo Eliagwu, demanding urgent government intervention and improved security.

A witness said the attack had forced residents of nearby communities, including Emichi, to flee, while students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUSHO), were stranded as panic spread across the area.

Similarly, Senator representing Benue South and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, condemned the attacks.

He noted that Akpachi community in Ugboju-Ehaje was attacked on Saturday, leaving two people dead and several injured, while Otukpo Nobi came under attack on Sunday morning, with eight persons killed and many others wounded.

Moro warned that the worsening attacks could trigger a major crisis if urgent action was not taken.

He urged all levels of government and security agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property as guaranteed by the Constitution.

The senator also condemned the ambush of mourners transporting the remains of Augustine Ikwue, Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Kogi State.

According to him, the convoy conveying Ikwue’s remains to Ai-Ode in Upu community, Otukpo LGA, for burial was attacked, while several mourners were abducted.

Moro described the attack as inhumane, sympathised with the Ikwue family, and urged security agencies to rescue the abductees and bring the kidnappers to justice.

Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State election,  Michael Aondoakaa, has  condemned the  attacks.

Aondoakaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, James Ian, described the attacks as barbaric, horrific and unacceptable.

According to him, the attacks were not mere criminal acts but deliberate acts of terrorism against innocent Benue people whose only offence is living peacefully on their ancestral land.

The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Akpa and Otukpo-Nobi communities, and the entire people of Otukpo LG over the tragic loss of lives.

Aondoakaa noted that the latest killings are yet another painful reminder that many communities in the state remain vulnerable to violent attacks, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of residents and disruption of farming activities.

He stressed that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, observing that the persistent attacks on communities across the state require urgent and decisive action from all relevant authorities.

The PDP governorship candidate called on the Government to support security forces to strengthen operations in vulnerable communities, improve intelligence gathering, deploy adequate personnel to identified flashpoints and ensure that the perpetrators of the attacks are apprehended and prosecuted.