At least 16 people have been killed and several others injured following fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Benue State, with residents accusing security agencies of failing to respond promptly to the assaults.
The attacks, which took place between Monday and Tuesday, affected communities in Otukpo and Kwande Local Government Areas, leaving many families in mourning and forcing residents to flee their homes.
The deadliest attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when gunmen reportedly invaded Efeyi community in Ugboju District, Otukpo LGA, around 4 a.m., killing at least 14 people and leaving several others with gunshot wounds.
Residents said many people were still missing as search and rescue efforts continued, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
A community source described the situation as devastating, lamenting the delayed response from security agencies.
“The current situation in Efeyi Ugboju is pathetic. The attack started around 4 a.m., and three hours later there was no response from the security agencies. We are helpless and vulnerable, but we still look unto God,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, said 14 bodies had been recovered, while several injured victims were receiving treatment.
“There was no provocation; it was simply to shed blood and kill innocent people. The people are afraid, and residents of neighbouring communities are already fleeing,” Ogiri said.
The council chairman expressed concern over the continued attacks despite the presence of military personnel, police officers, mobile police and agro-rangers in the area.
He called on the government to fully enforce the state’s anti-open grazing law, insisting that stronger measures were needed to end the recurring violence.
Ogiri also blamed the attacks on suspected militia herdsmen, saying communities in the area had come under repeated assaults in recent days.
Before Tuesday’s attack, another resident was reportedly killed on Monday while working on his farm in Ipom community, also in Ugboju District.
In a separate incident the same day, suspected armed herdsmen attacked Abaji community in Kwande Local Government Area, where they opened fire on farmers working on a Bambara nut farm.
A woman who sustained gunshot injuries later died, while the attackers reportedly fled with two motorcycles belonging to farmers.
One survivor recounted the terrifying experience.
“We were on our Bambara nut farm when they suddenly started shooting, and we all ran for our lives. They shot a woman and took away two motorcycles belonging to our neighbours. Everyone is living in fear,” the survivor said.
As of the time of filing the report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attacks.
