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Armed Attack in Nigeria's Benue State Leaves at Least Eight Dead
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Armed Attack in Nigeria's Benue State Leaves at Least Eight Dead

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • At least eight people were killed in an armed attack in Otukpo, Benue state, Nigeria.
  • A local NGO claims the death toll is higher, at 18, and blames Fulani herdsmen.
  • Police are investigating the incident, while a Fulani cattle breeders' association denies involvement.

An armed attack in Otukpo, located in Nigeria's north-central Benue state, resulted in the deaths of at least eight people, including three children. The state police confirmed the incident occurred on Sunday, stating that their officers have been deployed and calm has been restored to the affected communities.

Eight people, five adults and three children died in the attack on Otukpo. Our agents have been deployed and calm has returned to the communities.

— Udeme EdetBenue State Police spokesperson confirming the initial death toll and police response.

However, a local sociocultural association, Ochetoha Idoma World, which represents farmers of the Idoma ethnic group, disputes the police's figures. The organization claims that 18 people were killed and directly blames Fulani herdsmen for the attack. Samuel Joshua, a spokesperson for the association, stated that the attack happened early Sunday morning in the rural village of Nobi, within Otukpo, and that many residents have fled their homes fearing further violence.

Joshua expressed frustration, saying, "They kill us as they please and when they please. Something must be done to stop these people." The attacks prompted protests from local youth, who blocked major roads to demand an end to the violence. Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, calling them "senseless acts of bloodshed" aimed at sabotaging the state's progress.

The Fulani attacked our communities in Otukpo-Nobi early Sunday morning... They shot indiscriminately and killed 18 people, including children.

— Samuel JoshuaSpokesperson for Ochetoha Idoma World, accusing Fulani herdsmen and providing a higher casualty figure.

Conversely, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), representing Fulani herdsmen, has denied any involvement. Ibrahim Gwali, MACBAN's secretary in Benue, stated that herdsmen were long ago evicted from Otukpo and that it is erroneous to conclude they were responsible for the attacks. He cautioned that such conclusions could compromise ongoing investigations by the police and other security agencies.

We are killed as they please and when they please. Something must be done to stop these people.

— Samuel JoshuaExpressing the community's fear and demand for action following the attack.

The conflict between the Fulani and Idoma communities is long-standing, rooted in disputes over land and water access, exacerbated by desertification in northern Nigeria. This is further complicated by frequent incursions of criminal gangs, known locally as 'bandits,' in central and northwestern Nigeria.

These acts of senseless bloodshed are a direct attempt to sabotage the progress of our state.

— Hyacinth AliaBenue Governor condemning the killings.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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