Panic in Benue as Armed Herders Launch Fresh Attack on Otobi Community

Fresh panic erupted in the Otobi community of Akpa District, Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, on Tuesday evening following a brutal attack by suspected armed herders. The assault, which is the third in April alone, has left several residents feared dead and forced hundreds to flee their homes in search of safety.

Residents of the embattled community were sent scrambling for cover as gunshots rang out around 5:30 p.m., with attackers reportedly unleashing terror on unsuspecting villagers. In a distress call to journalists, a resident, Edwin Emma, revealed the dire situation.

“We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community. My wife and children are fleeing as I speak. Please call for help,” he pleaded, his voice trembling with urgency and fear.

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Dozens Feared Dead as Lawmaker Confirms Third Attack in April

Kennedy Angbo, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa in the Benue State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident in a phone conversation, noting that three bodies had already been recovered with the casualty count feared to be higher.

“Right now, many people are feared dead, and hundreds have fled the community,” Angbo stated grimly, adding that the scale of the attack and the number of missing persons made it difficult to immediately verify the full extent of the devastation.

This latest attack is particularly concerning as it marks the third on Otobi within the same month — a worrying pattern that suggests the community has become a recurring target for armed herders. The frequency and intensity of the assaults have escalated local fears and raised serious concerns over the capacity of security agencies to prevent further bloodshed.

Local Government Chairman Confirms Assault, Security Response Ongoing

While efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident to journalists from Abuja, where he is currently handling post-election responsibilities.

“Yes, the attack by herders on Otobi community is confirmed,” Ogiri said. “Though I am currently in Abuja, I have directed my aides in Otobi and Akpa district to mobilise security personnel to the affected area to bring the situation under control.”

Ogiri acknowledged that the details surrounding the attack, including the number of fatalities and the full extent of the damage, were still being gathered as of Tuesday night. “I’ve been informed that the attack is ongoing. While I’ve not received confirmation of deaths yet, I expect to have clearer details by tomorrow,” he added.

He also called on residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that efforts were being made to restore peace and prevent further violence.

Mounting Insecurity in Benue Raises Alarm Nationwide

The attack on Otobi is part of a broader security crisis that has plagued Benue State for years, with herder-related violence regularly leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, and mass displacement of communities. Despite the deployment of security personnel and repeated government promises, many rural areas remain vulnerable.

The latest incident is likely to spark renewed calls for the federal government to take more decisive action to protect vulnerable communities, especially in conflict-prone regions like Benue, which has seen some of the worst clashes between farming communities and armed herders.

Humanitarian concerns are also growing, as displacement numbers rise and local facilities become overwhelmed with those fleeing the violence. Aid organizations have expressed concern over the limited resources available to help the newly displaced residents, many of whom are left without shelter, food, or medical support.

As night fell on Otobi, the mood was somber and tense, with many residents still in hiding and uncertain about when, or if, it would be safe to return to their homes.

The coming days will likely bring a clearer picture of the attack’s toll, but for now, Otobi joins the growing list of Nigerian communities living in fear, caught in the crossfire of a security crisis that continues to spiral.