By Emmanuel Onyedika
No fewer than 15 persons have been reportedly killed, and many others remain unaccounted for, after suspected herdsmen launched an unprovoked attack on Efeyi community in Ugboju district of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attackers invaded the community at about 5am on Tuesday, shooting sporadically until around 9:30am, leaving residents helpless. Eyewitnesses lamented the absence of security response despite the presence of police and military personnel stationed nearby. “What can we do to protect our people? All of us are currently helpless and vulnerable. Oh God help the souls of the innocent people being killed mercilessly in Efeyi Ugboju,” one resident said.
Executive Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that 14 bodies had been recovered, with many wounded victims evacuated to hospitals. He stressed that the attacks were unprovoked, noting that armed herders had been moving from one community to another in recent days. “They have been attacking sporadically from different communities to the other. The level of casualty increases day by day. They choose location at their will,” Ogiri said.
He added that fear and apprehension had gripped neighbouring communities, with many residents fleeing their homes. Ogiri appealed to the Benue State government to enforce the anti-open grazing law, insisting that the eviction notice issued by traditional leaders could not be effective without enforcement.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident. DSP Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the command, said: “Police officers have been deployed to the scene. They are taking necessary steps to restore calm and commence a thorough investigation into the incident. The situation is being closely monitored, further details will be made available as the investigation progresses.”
Several communities in Otukpo and Ohimini LGAs have come under severe attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in recent weeks, following the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.