Suspected Armed Herders Invade Benue Community, Kill Several, Set Homes Ablaze
In another tragic turn of events, suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly assault on Otobi community in Akpa District of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, on Tuesday evening, killing an unconfirmed number of residents and setting parts of the community on fire.
The attack, which occurred around 5:30 p.m., caught villagers off guard, forcing many to flee for their lives amid heavy gunfire. A resident, John Ada, revealed that at least three bodies had been recovered by locals while the shooting persisted.
Confirming the incident, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, said the exact number of casualties remained unclear but that the assault had displaced hundreds of residents. Angbo, who hails from the district, described the invasion as unprovoked and deeply disturbing.
In response, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, stated that he had directed aides living in the area to mobilise security personnel to the affected community to help restore order and safeguard lives.
The latest attack adds to the growing list of violent incursions in Benue State, raising fresh concerns over the safety of rural communities and the capacity of security forces to curb the activities of armed herders.
