By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the attack on, and killings of no fewer than 10 persons in Otukpo Local Council by suspected armed herdsmen.
This is as Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, lamented the worsening security crisis in the state of recent.
The Source reports that some suspected armed herdsmen launched multiple dusk to dawn attack on the twin communities of Akpachi-Ugboju and Otukpo-Nobi between Saturday night and the wee hours of Sunday, killing about ten persons and left several others injured ,and displaced.
Local witness accounts informed that the attackers in their numbers invaded Ugboju community at about midnight on Saturday where two people were reportedly killed, before attacking Otukpo-Nobi at about 5 am on Sunday, and murdered eight people.
According to the locals, residents were taken by surprise as they were deep asleep when the attackers came calling.
However, incensed by the latest orgy of bloodletting, residents on Sunday morning staged a peaceful protest match to the palace of the traditional ruler of Idoma , the Och’Idoma ,His Royal Majesty Dr John Odogbo Eliagwu.
Brandishing the bodies of the victims, the aggrieved residents called for an immediate intervention and enhanced security in the area, as well as the arrest and prosecution of the masterminds.
Governor Alia, in a statement from Tersoo Kula, his spokesperson described the killings as barbaric, inhuman ,and a direct assault on the peace and stability of the state.
The Governor who blamed the attack and killings on suspected armed herdsmen, regretted the loss of innocent residents as well as several injured and displaced people.
This is as he directed security agencies to enhance security in the affected areas, through intensified surveillance and patrols.
He also called on security agencies to collaborate with security operatives in neighbouring states, with a view to fishing out the perpetrators of the attack and killings.
While suing for calm among residents, the Governor reaffirmed the determination and commitment of his administration towards adequately protecting lives and properties of the people.
Reacting to the development , the Senator representing Benue South at the National Assembly, Moro who confirmed the number of casualties in the two affected communities, expressed worries that the security challenges in the state , rather than abetting , have continued to escalate.
He expressed fears that if not urgently checked ,the growing level of crisis in parts of the state , could snowball into a major national problem.
He called on Government at all levels to rise to the occasion and ensure adequate protection for the people.
There are insinuations that the unfortunate development may have been a reprisal attack by the suspected herdsmen over the killing of the Benue state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association MACBAN Ardo Risku Mohammad.
The source further reports that the MACBAN State Chairman, and his associate Isah Mairiga were, on July 1,2026, ambushed and killed by armed hoodlums within Okudu Community in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state while returning from a peace meeting held in Ohinimini Local Council.
Although security operatives have since apprehended about 17 suspects including an 80-old and four local chiefs in connection with the murder of the Miyetti Allah leader, tension and apprehension of possible reprisal attacks by suspected herdsmen had continued to pervade the affected areas.
As at the time of reporting, there was no official response from the Police in the State.
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
