At least 16 people have been killed following fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, triggering widespread protests and renewed calls for stronger security measures.
According to local reports, the attackers first struck Akpachi village late on Saturday before launching another assault on Otukpo-Nobi in the early hours of Sunday. Residents said the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, killing men, women and children while injuring several others. Some community members believe the attacks may have been reprisals linked to the recent killing of a cattle breeders’ leader, although authorities have not confirmed any motive.
The killings sparked outrage across Otukpo, with grieving residents, including women and youths, carrying the bodies of victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma, the traditional ruler of the Idoma people. Protesters also barricaded major roads, including sections of the Makurdi–Otukpo Highway, disrupting traffic and demanding urgent government intervention. Many vowed to resist political activities in the area until lasting security is restored.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attacks and directed security agencies to track down those responsible. Security personnel have since been deployed to the affected communities, while investigations continue. The latest violence adds to the long-running insecurity in Benue, where repeated clashes and attacks have displaced thousands of residents and claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
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