BREAKING: Many Feared Killed As Armed Herdsmen Attack Benue Again
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have once again attacked the Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing at least four residents in a midnight assault.
Sources said the attackers, who were reportedly heavily armed, stormed the community at about 12am on Tuesday, firing shots indiscriminately and sending residents fleeing for safety.
The invasion, which lasted several hours, resulted in the deaths of Hon. Ochi Ayedu, Eje Uzu, Alinko, and Achibi. As of the time of filing this report, several other residents remain unaccounted for.
The latest attack comes barely months after a similar deadly assault on Otobi-Akpa, during which no fewer than 13 people were killed, many others injured or declared missing, and over 50 houses were burnt.
In a related development, there were reports on Sunday about how two security operatives in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State were killed by these armed herders barely four days after a similar attack claimed the lives of five persons in the same axis.
The slain operatives were said to be attached to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), a joint security task force deployed to maintain peace in the troubled area. They were identified as an Aircraft Man of the Nigerian Air Force and a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Eyewitnesses said the security personnel were ambushed while returning from Adikpo town. A local source disclosed that the operatives were riding motorcycles at the time of the attack.
“They were on a bike. They went to Adikpo town and were coming back when the herdsmen attacked them. One soldier and one Civil Defence officer were killed on the spot,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, a community leader from Jato Aka, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, said the attack occurred on Saturday at about 4pm at Udeku community—the same location where five people were reportedly killed days earlier.
“Another tragedy struck in Turan, Kwande LGA, when security officers stationed at Anwase were killed by herdsmen at Udeku. This is the same place where herders killed five people four days ago,” Akerigba said.
He noted that the attackers operated freely in large numbers, unleashing violence on the community.
“The herders came in large numbers, burning houses, destroying farms and economic trees. They even blocked the road. The officers had gone to Aga market to refill their gas and were shot immediately on sight while returning,” he added.
Lamenting the repeated attacks, Akerigba warned that communities in the area were increasingly exposed and vulnerable.
