BREAKING: 10 Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities

BREAKING: Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead following separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The latest wave of violence began on Saturday when the attackers reportedly invaded Akpachi village in the Ugboju community, killing two residents and leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.

Less than 24 hours later, in the early hours of Sunday, the gunmen allegedly struck again, this time attacking the Otukpo Nobi community, where eight more people were killed while many others sustained injuries.

The renewed attacks sparked protests by angry youths and residents, who marched to the palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo to express their frustration over the deteriorating security situation. The demonstrators called on both the Benue State Government and federal authorities to take urgent steps to end the recurring violence in the area.

The latest killings have heightened tension across Otukpo and surrounding communities, with many residents expressing fears over continued attacks and the apparent inability of security agencies to prevent them.

The incident comes barely one month 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, who were attacked and killed around Okwudu in Otukpo Local Government Area after attending a peace meeting in neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attacks or confirm whether any arrests had been made. Meanwhile, residents have appealed for increased security presence in the affected communities to prevent further loss of lives.

BREAKING: Killed as Suspected Herdsmen Launch Fresh Attacks on Benue Communities