Bloodbath in Benue: 18 feared dead as gunmen invade Otukpo communities

Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi

No fewer than 18 persons were reportedly killed, with several others sustaining injuries, following a deadly attack by suspected Fulani herders on Akpachi Village and Otukpo-Nobi communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack, which occurred between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, reportedly left many houses destroyed, while several residents remain missing.

According to local sources, the armed assailants stormed the communities while residents were asleep and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic and forcing many villagers to flee into nearby bushes.

Residents alleged that women and children were among those killed during the attack, describing the incident as one of the deadliest in recent times in the Benue South Senatorial District.
Community members said the attackers operated for several hours without resistance before fleeing the area, leaving behind widespread destruction and grief.

Reacting to the incident, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed profound sadness and strongly condemned what he described as a barbaric and inhuman attack on innocent citizens.

In a statement, the governor said the assault was not only a breach of peace but also an attack on the sanctity of human life and the collective soul of the people of Benue State.

Governor Alia lamented that the attack occurred at a time his administration had been working closely with traditional rulers and security agencies to promote peace and stability across the state.

According to him, “These acts of mindless bloodshed are a direct attempt to sabotage the progress of our state.”

The governor sympathised with the people of Otukpo and the entire Benue South Senatorial District, assuring them that the government would not abandon them.

“Your lives are precious, and I can assure you that your ancestral lands will not be surrendered to fear,” he said.

Governor Alia further warned that although the people of Benue had consistently shown restraint and commitment to peaceful coexistence, such restraint should never be mistaken for weakness.

“My government stands firmly with you, and we will not allow our communities to be turned into killing fields,” he declared.

The governor directed all security agencies operating in the state to immediately collaborate with their counterparts in neighbouring states and intensify surveillance, patrols and intelligence gathering across the affected communities and border areas.

He also ordered security operatives to pursue the attackers relentlessly, ensure their arrest and prosecution, and deploy additional personnel to vulnerable communities to forestall further attacks.

Governor Alia appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.

While sympathising with families of those who lost their loved ones and praying for the quick recovery of the injured, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property throughout Benue State.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the attack but gave a lower casualty figure.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that at least five persons lost their lives during the incident, adding that security operatives had been deployed to the affected communities to restore normalcy and track down those responsible.

However, community leaders and residents insist that the death toll is much higher, claiming that no fewer than 18 persons were killed, while several others are still missing.

Security operations are said to be ongoing as authorities continue search-and-rescue efforts and investigations into the latest wave of violence in the state.