Armed herders attack Benue community, kill many, set houses ablaze

Suspected armed herdsmen have launched a deadly attack on Otobi community, located in Akpa district of Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State, leaving several residents feared dead and portions of the community set ablaze.

According to a local resident, John Ada, the violent attack began around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and was still ongoing as of the time of this report.

Witnesses say gunshots echoed through the area, forcing many villagers to flee for their lives while others were caught in the chaos.

Residents are calling for urgent intervention from security agencies as panic continues to grip the community.

According to him, “The armed herdsmen invaded Otobi this evening at about 5:30pm and those fleeing recovered three corpses but the casualty figure will be far more than that because they are still shooting and people are fleeing. It is a troubling situation.”

The lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, who hails from Akpa District confirmed the development, disclosing that unconfirmed number of persons had been killed while hundreds were already fleeing the community.

Another resident of Otobi community Edwin Emmanuel, who narrowly escaped death, said many must have been killed in the attack.

While calling for help from security operatives, Mr. Emmanuel, who disclosed that the herders took the community unawares and launched the unprovoked attack, said: “We are under severe attack by herdsmen, my wife and children are fleeing from the community as I speak, please call for help.”

Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, said he had directed some of his aides who reside in Otobi community to mobilise security personnel to the axis to bring the situation under control.

He said: “Yes the attack by herders on Otobi community is confirmed. I am not around. I am in Abuja and after the local government election tribunal judgement yesterday, I decided to stay back and put things together to file an appeal.

“So, this evening my aides called to inform me that Otobi community was under severe attack, and that the attack was still on going.

“I have directed my aides around the axis to mobilise security personnel on my behalf to the area. As I speak with you, security agents are being drafted to the area.

“Since I am not on ground, I am yet to get full reports of the attack. But it is a herders attack. So far, I have not been told of any death yet but by tomorrow, I should be able to give you more details.”

Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful.