Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Benue State, Nigeria — Four residents of the Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area were killed in a violent assault by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen in the early hours of Tuesday, security authorities confirmed. The Benue State Police Command has said the attackers stormed the community around midnight, firing indiscriminately and forcing many villagers to flee into surrounding forests and neighbouring settlements in panic.
According to the police, who have deployed additional tactical teams to the area, preliminary investigations indicate that at least four people lost their lives in the raid. Several others are reported missing as relatives and local volunteers continue to search for survivors amid growing fear and unrest in the agrarian community. Officers from the command are conducting door-to-door inquiries and collecting evidence in an effort to piece together the sequence of events and track down the perpetrators while cautioning residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
The attack reflects a grim chapter in the continuing cycle of violence afflicting parts of Benue State and the broader Middle Belt region. Otobi-Akpa and neighbouring villages have experienced recurrent violence attributed to clashes between pastoral herders and farming communities, often exacerbated by disputes over land use, grazing rights and resource access. Previous assaults on the community have led to significant loss of life and displacement, underscoring the persistence of deep-rooted security challenges in the area.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaos as the assault unfolded. Survivors recounted how heavily armed men descended upon the community, opening fire on homes and public spaces without warning. “They came suddenly, shooting everywhere,” one resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals. “People ran in all directions. Some are still missing.”
While official casualty figures remain fluid and vary across reports, the police command has been clear in its confirmation of four fatalities. Local media outlets and community leaders initially cited differing numbers in the immediate aftermath, reflecting the confusion that often accompanies such attacks. Among those killed were respected members of the community whose sudden deaths have sent shockwaves through the tight-knit population.
The police public relations officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, addressed journalists in Makurdi, affirming that the command was doing everything within its power to quell further violence and pursue the assailants. He noted that patrols had been intensified along critical routes and that joint operations with military and other paramilitary units were underway to tighten security around vulnerable settlements.
Authorities have urged residents to report suspicious activity through established channels and to avoid unnecessary travel after dark. “We appeal to our people to be calm but vigilant,” the police statement said, emphasising that intelligence from within the community would be crucial to the rapid apprehension of those responsible.
The humanitarian toll extends beyond the immediate loss of life. Families displaced by the attack are grappling with sudden homelessness, the loss of livelihood and the daunting challenge of accessing basic necessities such as food and medical care. Local volunteer groups and humanitarian actors have begun mobilising to provide support, although resources remain stretched and insecurity hampers coordinated relief efforts.
Political and civil society voices have also responded to the incident with concern. Leaders from the Otukpo-Akpa area have condemned the attack in strong terms, calling on both state and federal governments to accelerate security reforms and improve protection for vulnerable communities. Some have pointed to a perceived pattern of repeated assaults on Otobi-Akpa, arguing that without sustained intervention, the cycle of violence is likely to persist.
The roots of herder-farmer conflicts in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted, involving historical migration patterns, environmental pressures such as desertification and drought in the north, and competition over fertile land in southern and central states. In Benue State, these dynamics have fuelled longstanding tensions that periodically erupt into violence, often with devastating consequences for ordinary citizens whose lives are intertwined with agriculture and pastoralism.
Government officials have previously attempted to broker peace and implement management frameworks aimed at reducing clashes, including community-level peace committees, grazing reserves and security task forces. However, progress has been uneven, and recurring incidents like the Otobi-Akpa attack highlight the fragility of current mechanisms.
At the national level, there have been calls for a more comprehensive strategy that integrates security operations with conflict resolution, socioeconomic development and dialogue among stakeholders. Analysts argue that without addressing the underlying drivers of competition for land and water resources, tactical measures alone will struggle to deliver lasting peace.
For now, residents of Otobi-Akpa face an uncertain future as they mourn the dead and search for missing loved ones. The police presence in the area has been boosted, but the palpable fear among villagers suggests that many remain wary of returning to their homes. With several still unaccounted for and families grieving, the community’s resilience will be tested in the days ahead.
Security experts monitoring the situation noted that while the confirmation of four deaths brings some clarity, the broader context of violence in Benue State demands urgent attention. They emphasise that sustainable peace will require concerted action by government authorities, traditional leaders, community groups and security agencies to rebuild trust, ensure accountability and strengthen protective measures for all residents.
As investigations continue, the Benue State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to restoring calm and ensuring that justice is served. In a region where agriculture is the backbone of local life and where intercommunal bonds have been strained by years of conflict, the hope for lasting security rests on a collective response that transcends reactive measures and moves toward structural solutions.
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