27 Killed in Fresh Benue, Plateau Attacks

Fresh attacks on communities in Benue and Plateau states have claimed at least 27 lives, leaving many families in mourning and raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in both states.

In Benue State, 18 people were killed in separate attacks on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area. In Plateau State, nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, lost their lives after gunmen attacked Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area.

The violence in Benue was reportedly carried out by suspected armed herders who attacked Akpachi village in the Ugboju community and later invaded the Otukpo-Nobi community over the weekend.

The first incident occurred on Friday when two farmers were attacked and killed while working on their farmland in Akpachi village. Their bodies were recovered the following day and buried.

Less than a day later, at about 4 a.m. on Sunday, another attack took place in Otukpo-Nobi community, where at least 16 people were killed and several others sustained injuries.

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

Following the fresh killings, angry youths in Otukpo staged a protest by taking the bodies of some victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma. The protest disrupted a church service as demonstrators demanded urgent action from the government and security agencies.

The protesters accused the authorities of failing to protect lives and property, insisting that repeated attacks on their communities had continued for too long without a lasting solution.

The demonstration also caused heavy traffic in the area as major roads were blocked, leaving many travellers stranded for several hours.

Residents said the attacks had left several families devastated, adding that the number of casualties could increase because some people were still missing.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed both attacks. He said the first incident happened when three villagers went to their farms in Akpachi, where two of them were killed while one escaped and informed the community.

Ogiri explained that security teams had searched the surrounding bushes after the first attack, believing the attackers had fled. However, another assault was launched early Sunday morning on Otukpo-Nobi community, leading to more deaths and injuries.

He added that the local government was working to move survivors to safer locations, provide treatment for the injured and improve security in the affected communities.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attacks, describing the killings as cruel and unacceptable. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor directed security agencies to increase surveillance, work with neighbouring states to track down those responsible and ensure they face prosecution.

In Plateau State, the attack on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities happened late on Saturday night. Residents said gunmen entered the communities at about 11:30 p.m. and operated for more than an hour, firing repeatedly and forcing many people to flee into nearby bushes.

According to residents, the attackers invaded a family home where nine relatives, including a two-month-old baby, were killed. The village head was also attacked during the incident and reportedly suffered serious injuries.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the attack, saying the gunmen struck under the cover of darkness and targeted defenceless residents. He added that security agencies had been informed and expressed hope that those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.

The latest violence has increased fear among residents, many of whom are calling on the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to strengthen security in Riyom and other vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.

Security personnel have since been deployed to the affected areas, but many residents remain displaced and worried about the possibility of more attacks. As of the time of filing the report, the Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident.