₦airaland Forum

Suspected Herdsmen Storm Otukpo Communities In Benue, Kill At Least 15 Persons, Injure Scores Of Others


At least 15 people have been killed after suspected armed herders launched coordinated attacks on communities in Ugboju District of the Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, in yet another wave of deadly violence that has continued to ravage the state.

The attacks, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, left at least 14 residents dead in Efeyi-Ugboju, while another victim was reportedly killed a day earlier in nearby Ipom-Ugboju.

Residents told SaharaReporters that the gunmen invaded Efeyi-Ugboju at about 5am and operated for more than four hours, unleashing terror on the community before fleeing.

As of about 11:30am on Tuesday, locals said corpses were still being recovered from surrounding bushes and homes, raising fears that the death toll could climb further. Several injured victims were rushed to hospitals for emergency treatment.

A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, described the attack as a massacre carried out with little or no resistance.

"The attackers stormed the community before dawn and continued killing people until after 9am. Fourteen bodies have already been recovered in Efeyi-Ugboju, while another resident was killed in Ipom-Ugboju on Monday. We fear more bodies may still be found because many people remain unaccounted for," the resident said.

Confirming the incident, Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, said authorities had recovered 14 bodies from Efeyi-Ugboju, while many other residents sustained gunshot injuries.

He condemned the killings, describing them as a calculated assault on innocent civilians.

"This was a deliberate attack on defenseless people. There was no confrontation or provocation. The gunmen came with one mission — to kill. So far, we have recovered 14 bodies, while many survivors are receiving treatment for serious injuries. Fear has gripped the area, and residents of neighbouring communities are fleeing to avoid suffering the same fate," Ogiri said.

The council chairman also questioned the effectiveness of security deployments in the area, noting that the presence of soldiers, police officers, Mobile Police personnel and Agro-Rangers had failed to prevent the carnage.

"We already have multiple security formations operating in this axis, yet these attacks continue. Government must strengthen enforcement of the state's Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law because the recurring violence is closely linked to the failure to fully implement that law," he added.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive a detailed briefing on the incident.

CyynthiaKiss:
https://saharareporters.com/2026/07/28/suspected-herdsmen-storm-otukpo-communities-benue-kill-least-15-persons-injure-scores?fbclid=IwZnRzaATVotFwZG9mBWZkaWQWULa6nypDOdFeml9yqVodSUmw5VAtKGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4uOJynHc33WGSTFyCUpZfLWeiZuLVZFtq0W1FK5VQnNT57mfPcsq2q2PgwWw_aem_DT_yuOE9qIf3svSaTIyGPQ

https://x.com/i/status/2082148563635585232

Mirasteel:
When will this nonsense stop, can't the governor drive these people out of the state or what?

Mirasteel:
When will this nonsense stop, can't the governor drive these people out of the state or what?

ddippset:
This regime has witnessed the highest level of massacre of Nigerans in our history.

Tinubu will tell you he is working, his supporters like Daniel Bwalya would tell you Tinubu is tackling insecurity.

He would give excuses;;;

Oh insecurity did not start with Tinubu.
Oh let's applaud our security person, they are working hard to secure the country.
Oh Governors are the chief security officers.

The Position of President gives no room for excuses.

You have unlimited unfettered access to tax payers' monies and public resources.

You fix problems, no excuse is tolerated.

If you cannot secure the country and hundreds of Nigerans die under your administration, you RESIGN!

To think that this man was all over Goodluck Jonathan.
Criticizing, Protesting, and insulting.

APC and Tinubu simply have no shame!