18 killed as suspected herdsmen attack Benue communities

Fresh incursions by suspected armed herdsmen have resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people in separate attacks on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The violence, which occurred over the weekend, has intensified fears regarding the worsening security situation in Benue South.

The initial incident on Friday saw attackers invade Akpachi village, killing two farmers on their land. Their bodies were recovered and buried on Saturday. Less than 24 hours later, around 4 a.m. on Sunday, gunmen reportedly attacked Otukpo-Nobi community, claiming at least 16 lives and leaving several others injured. These killings follow the murder of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his companion two weeks prior.

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After killing two people in Akpachi on Friday, they attacked Otukpo-Nobi this morning, killing 16 persons, including women and children. My neighbour lost her elder sister and her children in the attack.

In response to the escalating violence, angry youths on Sunday stormed the palace of the Och’Idoma, bringing the corpses of victims and disrupting an ongoing church service. Chanting protest songs, the youths voiced their frustration with authorities, whom they accused of failing to provide adequate protection, and declared they had reached their breaking point. The protest led to major roads in Otukpo being blocked, causing significant traffic disruptions and stranding commuters for hours.

Maxwell Ogiri, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, confirmed the attacks and suggested they might be retaliatory for the killing of the MACBAN chairman. He detailed the sequence of events, including the farm attack and the subsequent assault on Otukpo-Nobi. Efforts are underway to deploy more security personnel to the area to safeguard residents and prevent further violence.

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You know, I am sure the news of the death of Ardo Risku Mohammed is no longer news to you, and with the mindset of the people we are dealing with, you should also know that reprisals will likely occur.