By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Suspected armed herders launched a deadly attack on Efeyi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State in the early hours of Tuesday, leaving 15 people dead.
The assailants reportedly stormed the community around 5am, firing indiscriminately at residents and causing panic throughout the area.
This tragic incident marks the second massacre in the same council within weeks, following a similar attack three weeks ago in Otukpo Nobi that claimed eight lives.
A local resident, who identified himself as Okpe, recounted the ordeal in a telephone interview on Tuesday, stating that the attackers invaded the community at approximately 5am.
He lamented the absence of security personnel, noting that from 5am until about 7am, there was no response from security agents to the distress calls from the besieged community.
The latest assault underscores the persistent security challenges facing Benue State, where farming communities continue to bear the brunt of violent attacks.
“The attackers are Fulani herdsmen. They were shooting sporadically when they came into our community. As I am talking to you now, 15 corpses have been recovered, while the search is ongoing because some people are still missing.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, has confirmed the attack and stated that 14 dead bodies have been recovered and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to the chairman, the attack was unprovoked. He identified the attackers as Fulani herdsmen.
He said, “Yes, there was an attack on Efeyi in Ugboju District, Otukpo LGA. Fourteen dead bodies have been recovered, and many people were wounded.
“There was no provocation at all. The attack was carried out by the same Fulani herdsmen. I think they just came to shed blood and kill people. Our people are afraid. There is great apprehension. People from neighbouring communities are fleeing.”
Asked why security agents did not respond to the attack immediately, Ogiri said, “There are many security agencies, including Mopol, Agro-Rangers, the military, and the police, but I do not know if they are not enough.
“There should be a deliberate effort by the government to enforce the anti-open grazing law, as everything is tied to it. Even the eviction notice given cannot hold because there is nobody to enforce it, and so, we will continue to lament.”
He added, “Mine is to give them (security agents) a comfortable place to stay and other logistics, but I don’t determine their operation.”
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has expressed grief over the Efeyi community massacre, while commending security forces for neutralizing two of the attackers.
In a statement issued late Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor vowed that the bandits would face justice for their crimes against the people.
He also praised the Benue State Police Command for its swift response, which resulted in the elimination of two armed suspects believed to have participated in the tragic incident.
“Scores of persons have been murdered, with many others sustaining varying degrees of injury, as suspected armed herdsmen launched yet another attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo LGA of Benue State.
“Following reports of the incident, men of the Benue State Police Command were deployed to trace the armed bandits.
“A fire exchange occurred as the police closed in on the bandits, and two of the bandits, who were apparently manning positions to provide cover for the others to escape, were neutralised,” the statement read in part.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies, vowing that those who threaten the state would be dealt with decisively. He insisted that no outsiders would succeed in displacing the people from their ancestral lands.
He said, “Our people are peaceful, hardworking and peaceful. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured.”
Communities in Otukpo and the neighbouring Ohinmini LGAs have continued to suffer armed herders’ attacks in the past few weeks, which the public has speculated as a possible reprisal over the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Risku Mohammed, on June 24, 2026.
