No fewer than 15 people have been killed in fresh attacks on Ugboju communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents told reporters that the latest attack began at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday when armed invaders stormed Efeyi-Ugboju community, where 14 bodies had been recovered as of Tuesday morning. Another resident was reportedly killed on Monday in Ipom-Ugboju, also in the district.
Locals said the death toll could rise as search efforts continued, with more bodies believed to be trapped in the surrounding area. Several injured victims were rushed to hospital for treatment.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the attack as “pathetic,” alleging that the assailants operated for several hours without resistance.
“The attack started around 5:00 a.m. and continued till past 9:00 a.m. Fourteen people were killed mercilessly in Efeyi-Ugboju, while the armed herders responsible for the attacks killed another person at Ipom-Ugboju on Monday morning,” the resident said.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said 14 bodies had so far been recovered from Efeyi-Ugboju, while many other victims sustained injuries.
He condemned the killings, describing them as unprovoked and targeted at innocent residents.
“There was no provocation. They came only to shed blood and kill our people. Fourteen dead bodies have been recovered, while many others were wounded. The people are living in fear, and there is great apprehension. Residents of neighbouring communities are already fleeing for safety,” Ogiri said.
The council chairman lamented that the attack occurred despite the deployment of security agencies, including the military, the police, Mobile Police personnel and Agro-Rangers, to the area.
“I do not know whether the security personnel on the ground are not enough. There should be a deliberate effort by the government to enforce the Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law because everything is tied to it,” he added.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive full details of the latest attack.
The killings come barely two weeks after a series of deadly assaults on communities in Ugboju District and other parts of Otukpo Local Government Area, which claimed several lives and forced many residents to flee their homes.
Following those attacks, the Benue State Police Command deployed tactical teams to forests around Ondo-Ugboju, Ankpechi, Ogelewo and other affected communities to flush out armed criminals and prevent further violence.
Benue has witnessed recurring attacks in recent months, with farming communities in Otukpo and other local government areas repeatedly targeted by armed assailants, worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s food-producing Middle Belt.
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