DistantNews
Support us
Nigeria: Family of nine, 18 others killed in Benue, Plateau attacks
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Nigeria: Family of nine, 18 others killed in Benue, Plateau attacks

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Suspected terrorists killed at least 27 people, including nine members of the same family, in attacks across Benue and Plateau states, Nigeria.
  • In Benue, herdsmen killed 18 in Otukpo Local Government Area, with angry youths protesting by carrying corpses to the Och’Idoma's palace.
  • The attacks, possibly reprisal killings, have renewed fears over worsening insecurity in Nigeria's North-Central region.

A bloody weekend in Nigeria's Benue and Plateau states saw suspected terrorists kill at least 27 people, including nine members of the same family and a two-month-old baby. The attacks have reignited fears over the escalating insecurity in the country's North-Central region.

After killing two people in Ikpachi on Friday, this morning, they attacked Otukpo Nobi killing 16 persons including women and children. My neighbour lost her elder sister and her children in that attack. And the figure may be higher because search is still ongoing for missing people.

— Ebi AdoyiA resident describing the scale of the attack and the ongoing search for victims.

In Benue State, suspected armed herdsmen carried out separate attacks on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people. These incidents appear to be reprisal attacks, sparking widespread outrage. Youths carried the bodies of victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma and major roads in protest, demanding decisive action to stop the recurring violence.

Angry youths have taken over all the roads leading in and out of Otukpo. And the protest will continue in the days to come because we are tired of these killings without any tangible action from the authorities.

— Ebi AdoyiA resident explaining the public's frustration and planned continued protests.

The violence began Friday with an invasion of Akpachi village, where two farmers were killed on their land. Their bodies were recovered and buried Saturday. Less than 24 hours later, gunmen attacked Otukpo-Nobi community early Sunday, reportedly killing 16 people and injuring several others. The death toll may rise as searches continue for missing individuals.

Even the Commissioner of Police who came to Otukpo to visit Otukpo Nobi community spent hours on the road before he was eventually allowed passage after persistent appeals.

— Ebi AdoyiA resident highlighting the disruption caused by the protests and the difficulty authorities faced.

This renewed bloodshed follows the recent ambush and murder of Ardo Mohammed, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and his companion. Protesting youths disrupted a church service at the Och’Idoma's palace, accusing authorities of failing to protect their communities. The demonstrations paralyzed activities in Otukpo, blocking roads and stranding commuters. Residents appealed to the federal and state governments for an urgent deployment of more security personnel.

You know, I am sure the news of the

— Maxwell OgiriChairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, linking the incident to possible reprisals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog