Fulani Bandits Attack Leaves at Least 18 Dead in Benue as Youths Protest, Traditional Ruler Orders Herders Out of Otukpo

By Zagazola Makama

At least 18 persons have been killed in a fresh wave of violence in Benue State after suspected armed herdsmen launched coordinated attacks on farming communities in Otukpo Local Government Area, triggering widespread outrage, street protests, and renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the state’s southern axis.

The latest attacks, which occurred between Friday and the early hours of Sunday, targeted Akpachi Village in Ugboju community and Otukpo-Nobi community, leaving several others injured while forcing residents to flee their homes.

Security and local government sources told Zagazola Makama that the violence began on Friday when armed attackers invaded farmlands at Akpachi Village, where three farmers had gone to work.

According to the sources, the assailants killed two of the farmers, while the third victim managed to escape and alerted members of the community. Search teams later recovered the bodies on Saturday, and the victims were buried shortly afterwards.

However, before residents could recover from the tragedy, the attackers returned in the early hours of Sunday, launching another deadly assault on Otukpo-Nobi community at about 4:00 a.m.

The gunmen reportedly opened fire indiscriminately on sleeping residents, killing at least 16 people on the spot while leaving several others with gunshot injuries. The actual casualty figure is feared to be higher as local volunteers and security personnel continued search operations in surrounding bushes for missing persons.

The attacks have thrown communities across Otukpo into mourning, with many residents abandoning their homes amid fears of further attacks.

The killings came barely two weeks after the assassination of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, who were ambushed and killed at Okutu community while returning from a peace meeting held in Idekpa, Ohimini Local Government Area.

Authorities are investigating whether the latest attacks were carried out as reprisals linked to the earlier killing of the MACBAN chairman.

The fresh bloodshed sparked widespread anger across Otukpo as hundreds of youths staged a dramatic protest on Sunday.

The protesters carried the bodies of some of the victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma, where a church service was in progress, demanding immediate government intervention to halt the recurring attacks.

Witnesses said the angry demonstrators chanted protest songs, accusing government authorities and security agencies of failing to protect the people despite repeated attacks on farming communities.

The protest quickly spread across Otukpo town, with major roads barricaded by demonstrators, causing severe traffic disruption and leaving commuters stranded for several hours.

Residents described the atmosphere as tense, with businesses temporarily shutting down while security operatives monitored the situation to prevent further escalation.

One of the protesters, Ebi Adoyi, lamented that many families had been devastated by the attacks and warned that the casualty figure could rise as more bodies might still be discovered in nearby forests.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed both attacks, stating that preliminary findings suggested they might have been connected to reprisals following the killing of the MACBAN chairman.

He explained that after the first attack at Akpachi Village, security personnel and local vigilantes combed surrounding bushes believing the attackers had fled.

According to him, the renewed assault on Otukpo-Nobi in the early hours of Sunday caught residents by surprise.

“The bandits came and killed two farmers on Friday. One escaped and alerted the community. We recovered the bodies on Saturday and buried them.

“After searching the surrounding bushes, we believed they had left the area, but around 4 a.m. on Sunday, we received distress calls that they had invaded Otukpo-Nobi, killing several people and injuring many others,” Ogiri said.

Reacting to the attacks, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia strongly condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric and a direct assault on human life and the peace of the state.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor expressed deep sadness over the incident, noting that the attacks occurred despite ongoing efforts by the state government, traditional rulers and security agencies to restore lasting peace across Benue.

He described the violence as a calculated attempt by criminal elements to undermine the progress made in improving security within the state.

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

Alia directed security agencies to intensify surveillance operations, strengthen collaboration with neighbouring states, pursue those responsible for the attacks and ensure they are arrested and prosecuted.

He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.

The governor commiserated with families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured victims receiving treatment.

In a dramatic response to the renewed violence, the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, ordered all herders to vacate every part of Otukpo Kingdom with immediate effect.

The directive was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole, following Sunday’s attack on Nobi Village.

The traditional ruler said the continued presence of herders had become a serious threat to the safety and security of residents across the kingdom.

He, however, clarified that the order should not be interpreted as ethnic profiling or discrimination against any particular group but described it as an emergency measure aimed at safeguarding lives and restoring peace.

Chief Eimonye further called on security agencies and relevant government authorities to take urgent and decisive action to end the persistent attacks and guarantee the safety of communities across Otukpo Kingdom.

The latest killings add to the growing list of deadly attacks that have continued to plague Benue State, particularly farming communities, despite repeated military deployments and security operations.

Residents have continued to urge the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to dismantle armed groups operating within the state and restore lasting peace to affected communities.