At least 16 people have been killed and several others injured following renewed attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Benue State, raising fresh concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of the state.
The attacks, which occurred between Monday and Tuesday, affected communities in Otukpo and Kwande Local Government Areas, with residents reporting deaths, injuries and the theft of motorcycles belonging to fleeing farmers.
The deadliest incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when gunmen reportedly invaded the Efeyi community in the Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area at about 4 a.m.
Residents said the attackers opened fire on villagers, killing at least 14 people and leaving many others with gunshot wounds. Community members fear the casualty figure could rise as search efforts continue for missing persons.
A local resident described the situation as devastating, lamenting the absence of an immediate security response despite the scale of the attack.
“The current situation in Efeyi Ugboju is pathetic. The attack started around 4am, and three hours later there was no response from the security agencies. We are helpless and vulnerable,” the source said.
Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack and disclosed that 14 bodies had been recovered, while several injured victims were receiving treatment.
According to him, there was no known provocation preceding the assault.
“Fourteen dead bodies have been recovered, and many others are wounded. There was no provocation; it was simply to shed blood and kill innocent people,” he stated.
Ogiri expressed concern over the continued attacks despite the presence of military personnel, police officers, mobile police units and agro-rangers in the area. He called for stricter enforcement of Benue State’s anti-open grazing law, arguing that stronger implementation measures were necessary to address recurring violence.
The latest killings came shortly after another resident was reportedly murdered on Monday while working on his farm in the Ipom community, also within the Ugboju District.
In a separate incident the same day, suspected armed herdsmen attacked farmers in the Abaji community of Kwande Local Government Area. During the attack, a woman who sustained gunshot injuries later died, while the assailants reportedly stole two motorcycles.
Residents said fear has spread across affected communities, forcing some families to flee their homes in search of safety.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the attacks.
The renewed violence adds to growing concerns about security challenges in Benue State, where repeated clashes and attacks on farming communities have continued to claim lives and disrupt livelihoods.
