Armed Herdsmen Sack Benue Community in Fresh Attacks, Many Feared Dead
Suspected Fulani herdsmen has sacked residents of Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State leaving in their trail yet to be determined number of people dead.
The fresh attack has displaced residents of the community who abandoned their homes to take refuge in neighbouring villages.
According to a distraught resident, Edwin Emma who spoke to journalists, the entire community is in disarray.
“We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community. My wife and children are fleeing as I speak. Please call for help,” Mr. Emma said.
Confirming the attacks, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa state constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, said the attacks started as early as 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday
The lawmaker who spoke to Punch newspaper on phone said, “Right now, many people are feared dead, and hundreds have fled the community.”
Also confirming the latest attack on the community, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said that he has directed people in the local government to mobilise local security to ward off the attackers to forestall further deaths in the area.
“Yes, the attack by herders on Otobi community is confirmed,” I have directed my aides in Otobi and Akpa district to mobilise security personnel to the affected area to bring the situation under control.”
The Chairman who is currently out of the state due to an official assignment in Abuja, however, stated that he has not received the exact number of casualties as a result of the attacks.
He said, “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 (today).”
The renewed attacks in the community is the third in a series of many residents say is a coordinated on the area by armed Fulani herdsmen that killed hundreds of residents and have sacked many villages.
Many farming communities in Benue State have been sacked, driving the farmers and their families to live in internally displaced persons camps across the state.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has been under serious criticism for stopping the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi from visiting the IDPs over insecurity in the state.
Mr. Alia was quoted to have said that he could not guarantee the security of visitors in the state anymore.