Benue Reels from Renewed Herdsmen Attacks as Three More Communities Targeted in Otukpo

 

Benue State has once again been plunged into mourning following a fresh series of brutal attacks on Wednesday that saw suspected herdsmen descend upon three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA). This comes less than 24 hours after a similar onslaught in Otobi village claimed the lives of at least 11 residents.

The latest communities to fall victim to the persistent wave of violence are Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju — all of which had suffered a deadly attack earlier in February, leaving five dead. This new surge in hostilities has sent shockwaves across the region, further deepening an already tense security situation.

Eyewitnesses and local sources told Channels Television that the precise number of fatalities in the Wednesday attacks remains uncertain, but fears are mounting that the casualty count could be high. What is certain, however, is the atmosphere of terror that now blankets the affected areas.

The attacks were reportedly executed in a coordinated fashion, catching residents off guard and triggering a frantic mass exodus, particularly of women and children who fled into surrounding areas in search of safety. Many of the men had remained behind in a bid to protect their homes, but were swiftly overwhelmed by the sudden strike.

The timing of the assault has added to its shocking impact. According to Otukpo LGA Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, the violence erupted even as high-ranking security officials — including the Benue State Commissioner of Police — were in a meeting at the Ochidoma Palace to address Tuesday’s killings in Otobi.

“It’s deeply troubling. These communities were attacked while top security brass were still deliberating on the previous day’s massacre,” Ogiri stated.

He added that the gunmen appeared to have taken advantage of the absence of a robust local security presence, striking when only young men were in the villages. However, he noted that a rapid response by a combined team of security operatives managed to repel the attackers before more extensive damage could be done.

“No arrests have been made, but the intervention did force the attackers to flee. Three people were injured during the assault,” he confirmed.

The latest string of attacks has deepened the humanitarian crisis in the state. Displaced families now face uncertain futures, with many taking refuge in neighboring communities or temporary shelters. Local authorities have expressed growing concern over the scale of the displacement and the lack of federal support to address the crisis.

“These people have nowhere to go. Women and children have left their homes. People are scared to stay,” Ogiri lamented.

The recurrence of these attacks underscores the persistent security challenges facing Benue State, which has long been a flashpoint in the protracted conflict between farming communities and nomadic herders. The roots of the violence lie in disputes over land use, grazing rights, and a deepening breakdown in communal trust.

Earlier this week, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia announced the arrest of three suspected herdsmen believed to be involved in the Otobi attack. The development raised hopes of justice for victims and their families, but the fresh attacks have once again cast doubt on the effectiveness of existing security measures.

Civil society organizations and residents alike are intensifying calls for urgent federal intervention, arguing that local efforts alone are insufficient to contain the scope and brutality of the violence.

As the dust settles over the latest tragedy, many in Benue are left asking the same haunting question: how many more lives must be lost before meaningful action is taken?