Eighteen people lose their lives in alleged cattle herders' raid on villages in Benue state

A wave of violence has swept through Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, leaving at least 18 people dead in separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen, with the latest incident occurring barely two weeks after the murder of Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

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The first attack took place on Friday, when two farmers were killed on their farmland in Akpachi village, Ugboju community, with their bodies recovered and buried on Saturday, according to reports from the area.

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In a second, more devastating incident, at least 16 people were killed and several others injured when gunmen attacked Otukpo-Nobi community at about 4am on Sunday, sparking widespread outrage and protests in the area.

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Angry youths, demanding urgent government action, stormed the palace of the Och’Idoma on Sunday, bearing the corpses of the victims and disrupting an ongoing church service, as they chanted protest songs and accused authorities of failing to protect their communities.

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The protest caused significant tension in Otukpo, with major roads in the town blocked, leaving commuters stranded for hours, as residents expressed their frustration and anger over the repeated attacks on their communities.

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A resident, Ebi Adoyi, who participated in the protest, described the devastating impact of the attacks, which have plunged affected communities into mourning, and appealed to the Federal and Benue State Governments to deploy more security personnel to the area to prevent further attacks.

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According to Adoyi, the attacks have caused immense suffering, with his neighbour losing her elder sister and her children in the attack, and he warned that more casualties could be recorded as search efforts continue.

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Maxwell Ogiri, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, confirmed the attacks, suggesting that they may be linked to possible reprisals following the killing of the MACBAN chairman, and explained that the first attack occurred when three villagers were targeted by bandits in Akpachi.

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Ogiri stated that efforts are underway to relocate survivors to safer locations, provide medical assistance, and strengthen security in the affected areas, while appealing for calm and warning youths against attacking innocent persons.

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The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not received official information on the attacks when contacted, highlighting the need for improved communication and coordination between security agencies and local authorities.

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Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the attacks, describing them as barbaric and an assault on the lives and peace of Benue residents, and vowed that his administration will continue to work with security agencies to protect lives and property.

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In a statement, the governor directed security agencies in the state to intensify surveillance, collaborate with neighbouring states, pursue the attackers, and ensure they are brought to justice, while urging residents to support security agencies with credible information.