Gunmen Storm Benue Communities, 16 Killed in Fresh Attacks

(Benue Map. Photo by Nation News)

In separate invasions across Otukpo and Kwande Local Government Areas, LGAs, suspected armed herdsmen have attacked communities in Benue State, killing at least 16 people and seriously injuring several more.

During the attacks, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, the attackers also stole motorcycles from farmers who were trying to escape.

The deadliest assault occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the att@ckers reportedly stormed the Efeyi community in the Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area at about 4am, k!lling at least 14 people and leaving many others with gunsh0t wounds.

A local source said the d£ath toll could rise as several residents remained missing while search and rescue efforts continued.

He described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that the att@ck began around 4am and that three hours later there had been no response from security agencies.

With the army and police stationed at Ugboju Ogobia yet to reach the community to protect innocent citizens, leaving residents feeling helpless and vulnerable.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the att@ck and said 14 bodies had so far been recovered, while many injured victims were receiving treatment.

He said the victims were att@cked without any provocation, describing the assault as an act carried out simply to shed blood and k!ll innocent people, adding that residents were gripped by fear, with people in neighbouring communities already fleeing.

Ogiri expressed concern over the continued att@cks despite the presence of security personnel in the area, noting that although several security agencies including the military, police, mobile police and agro-rangers are stationed in Otukpo, he was uncertain whether their numbers were sufficient.

He called on the government to deliberately enforce the state's anti-open grazing law, stressing that the eviction notice issued to illegal occupants would achieve nothing without proper enforcement, warning that residents would continue to suffer if nothing changes.

The council chairman disclosed that he was at the teaching hospital awaiting the arrival of injured victims who had earlier received first aid at a local hospital.

Asked who was responsible for the att@cks, he attributed them to militia herdsmen, insisting there was no provocation and noting that such att@cks had been occurring sporadically in recent days with rising casualty figures.

He said that while security personnel are present in Otukpo, he does not determine their operations, as his role is limited to providing them with accommodation and logistics.

It was further gathered that before the Efeyi att@ck, another resident was reportedly k!lled on Monday while working on his farm in the Ipom community, also within the Ugboju District of Otukpo LGA.

On the same day, suspected armed herdsmen invaded the Abaji community in the Moon Council Ward of Kwande LGA, opening fire on farmers working on a Bambara nut farm.

A woman who sustained gunsh0t injuries reportedly d!ed hours later, while the att@ckers made away with two motorcycles belonging to fleeing farmers.

A survivor recounted the experience, describing how the farmers noticed strange movements before the att@ckers opened fire, forcing everyone to flee and abandon their farming tools, while a woman was shot and two motorcycles belonging to neighbours were taken.

The survivor said residents had returned home but remained gripped by fear.

Efforts to obtain reaction from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to enquiries as of the time of filing this report.