Suspected herders kill 15 in fresh Benue attack

n n

Suspected armed herders, in the early hours of Tuesday, invaded Efeyi community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State and killed 15 people.

n

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspects were reported to have stormed the community around 5am, shooting sporadically.

n

The latest attack is the second in the past few weeks.

n

Otukpo Nobi, in the same council, was also attacked three weeks ago, with eight people reportedly killed.

n

A local from the community who simply identified himself as Okpe told journalists in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the attackers invaded the community at about 5am.

n

He said, “The current situation in Efeyi, Ugboju, is pathetic. The attack started at 5am this (Tuesday) morning. Till around 7:00am, there was no response from security agents.

n

“The attackers are Fulani herdsmen. They were shooting sporadically when they came into our community. As I am talking to you now, 15 corpses have been recovered, while the search is ongoing because some people are still missing.”

n

Meanwhile, the chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, has confirmed the attack and stated that 14 dead bodies have been recovered and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

n

According to the chairman, the attack was unprovoked. He identified the attackers as Fulani herdsmen.

n

He said, “Yes, there was an attack on Efeyi in Ugboju District, Otukpo LGA. Fourteen dead bodies have been recovered, and many people were wounded.

n

“There was no provocation at all. The attack was carried out by the same Fulani herdsmen. I think they just came to shed blood and kill people. Our people are afraid. There is great apprehension. People from neighbouring communities are fleeing.”

n

Asked why security agents did not respond to the attack immediately, Ogiri said, “There are many security agencies, including Mopol, Agro-Rangers, the military, and the police, but I do not know if they are not enough.

n

“There should be a deliberate effort by the government to enforce the anti-open grazing law, as everything is tied to it. Even the eviction notice given cannot hold because there is nobody to enforce it, and so, we will continue to lament.”

n

He added, “Mine is to give them (security agents) a comfortable place to stay and other logistics, but I don’t determine their operation.”

n

Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has expressed grief over the attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area.

n

The governor commended the security agents for killing two of the attackers.

n

In a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Kula Tersoo, on Tuesday night, the governor said the bandits must pay for their crime against the people of the state.

n

The governor appreciated the Benue State Police Command of the Nigeria Police for its quick response, which resulted in the neutralisation of two armed bandits in the area suspected to have taken part in the unfortunate incident.

n

“Scores of persons have been murdered, with many others sustaining varying degrees of injury, as suspected armed herdsmen launched yet another attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo LGA of Benue State.

n

“Following reports of the incident, men of the Benue State Police Command were deployed to trace the armed bandits.

n

“A fire exchange occurred as the police closed in on the bandits, and two of the bandits, who were apparently manning positions to provide cover for the others to escape, were neutralised,” the statement read in part.

n

The governor said his administration would continue to support the security agencies to ensure those who attack the state are spoken to in the language they understand.

n

The governor said there was no way strangers would drive the people from their ancestral homes.

n

He said, “Our people are peaceful, hardworking and peaceful. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured.”Communities in Otukpo and the neighbouring Ohinmini LGAs have continued to suffer armed herders’ attacks in the past few weeks, which the public has speculated as a possible reprisal over the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Risku Mohammed, on June 24, 2026.

n

The MACBAN state chairman was killed at Okuku village in Otukpo Council after a peace meeting in Ohinmini LGA.

n

n n