No fewer than 27 people, including nine members of the same family and a two-month-old baby, were killed over the weekend in separate attacks on communities in Benue and Plateau states, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
The attacks, believed to have been carried out by armed assailants, left several others injured, displaced residents, and triggered protests in Benue State as communities demanded urgent government intervention.
18 Killed in Fresh Benue Attacks
In Benue State, at least 18 people lost their lives in separate attacks on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The violence reportedly began on Friday when gunmen attacked Akpachi village in the Ugboju community, killing two farmers while they were working on their farmland. Their bodies were recovered the following day and buried.
Less than 24 hours later, at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, the attackers reportedly returned and invaded Otukpo-Nobi community, where at least 16 people, including women and children, were killed. Several others sustained injuries during the assault.
The latest attacks came barely two weeks after the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, who were ambushed and killed while returning from a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.
Residents Stage Protest
The killings sparked widespread outrage as angry youths carried the bodies of some victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma during a church service to protest the recurring attacks.
The demonstrators also blocked major roads leading into and out of Otukpo, causing heavy traffic and disrupting movement for several hours.
A resident, Ebi Adoyi, appealed to both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government to strengthen security in the area, saying residents could no longer cope with the repeated attacks.
He disclosed that some families lost multiple relatives during the attack, while search efforts were still ongoing for missing persons, suggesting the casualty figure could increase.
Council Chairman Speaks
Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks and suggested they could be linked to reprisals following the recent killing of the MACBAN chairman.
According to him, the attackers first struck Akpachi village on Friday before launching another assault on Otukpo-Nobi in the early hours of Sunday.
Ogiri said efforts were underway to relocate survivors to safer areas, provide medical care for the injured and reinforce security in the affected communities.
He also appealed to protesting youths to remain calm and avoid attacking innocent road users while authorities worked to restore order.
Governor Alia Condemns Killings
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, condemned the attacks, describing them as barbaric and a direct assault on the lives and peace of the people.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said the killings were an attempt to undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace across the state.
He assured residents that his administration would continue working with security agencies to protect lives and property and urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence that could help security agencies prevent future attacks.
Nine Family Members Killed in Plateau
In Plateau State, suspected gunmen attacked Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area late Saturday night, killing nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby.
The attack reportedly began around 11:30 p.m. and lasted for more than an hour, during which the assailants shot indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes.
The village head also sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
A resident, Precious Tok, described the incident as one of the deadliest attacks the community had witnessed in recent times.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, confirmed that the attack wiped out nine members of a single family and left the village head critically injured.
He said security agencies had been informed and expressed hope that those responsible would be arrested and brought to justice.
Communities Demand Improved Security
The latest attacks have left both Benue and Plateau communities in mourning, with residents calling on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to strengthen security presence across vulnerable areas to prevent further violence.
Security personnel have reportedly been deployed to the affected communities, although many residents remain displaced and fearful of fresh attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Plateau State Police Command regarding the incident.
27 Feared Killed in Fresh Benue, Plateau Attacks as Gunmen Target Communities, Families
