Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A wave of deadly violence struck Benue State this week, culminating in the assassination of a former chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area and a separate attack in Kwande Local Government Area that claimed the lives of at least 12 civilians. The incidents have drawn strong condemnation from Governor Hyacinth Alia, who described the killings as “barbaric, senseless and unacceptable,” and reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring peace in the state.
In the first of the incidents, unknown gunmen fatally shot Udeh Ijachi — a former caretaker chairman of Otukpo LGA — at close range on Thursday night, March 5, in Otukpo town. The attack occurred in front of the Okabido Hotel where Mr Ijachi was reportedly lodging, with assailants arriving on a motorcycle and opening fire before fleeing the scene.
Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists that the assault took place at around 9:30 pm. According to one community source, the attackers trailed the former local government leader from his village and struck soon after he stepped outside his accommodation. The swift and brazen nature of the shooting stunned onlookers, many of whom initially fled in panic before returning to find the victim lying in a pool of blood.
Mr Ijachi, affectionately known in local circles as “Ukpem,” had previously survived multiple assassination attempts, with the assassination of his younger brother, Ejeh Udeh Ijachi, in September 2025, underscoring ongoing tensions around his political and community engagements.
The chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the former chairman’s death, describing the manner of killing as shocking and painful. He called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and to prevent further similar attacks.
The police public relations officer for Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, acknowledged the incident, stating that a formal response would be issued after further inquiries. At the time of reporting, no suspects had been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the assassination.
Hours after the assassination in Otukpo, another violent episode unfolded in the southern part of the state. Armed men attacked communities across James Tyungu Jam and Mbaav in the Yaav and Mbadura council wards of Kwande LGA. Residents reported that the assaults occurred across multiple villages, leaving at least 12 people dead and several others injured.
Eyewitness accounts from these communities suggest that suspected armed herdsmen may have been responsible for the violence, with victims including men, women and possibly children. Some community members said their homes and farmlands were reportedly attacked before the assailants opened fire on residents who were unable to flee in time.
In his official statement, Governor Alia said the state government was deeply saddened by the scale and brutality of the attacks. He emphasised that “every life matters, and the loss of even one life is too many,” and reaffirmed his administration’s determination to pursue justice for the victims. The governor also noted that security forces, including more than 400 personnel previously deployed to vulnerable areas such as Jato Aka and other parts of Kwande, would be further mobilised to prevent additional assaults.
State officials have appealed to community members to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, urging residents to provide any credible information that might help unravel the circumstances of the attacks. The governor highlighted the complexities involved in combating insecurity but emphasised that they are not “insurmountable” and that the government will not rest until peace is restored across Benue State.
The violence comes amid a broader backdrop of insecurity across parts of Benue, where communities have frequently reported attacks by armed groups, often linked to livestock herders and organised criminal gangs. Within recent months, multiple incidents of killings, abductions and village raids have been documented, leading to fear and displacement in some rural areas.
In late February, separate attacks in Otukpo LGA left several villagers dead and others abducted, prompting local communities to appeal for heightened security patrols. These incidents, along with a series of raids across Otobi and neighboring communities earlier in the year, have contributed to a climate of anxiety as residents fear further violence.
Security analysts note that the persistence of such attacks underscores long-standing tensions related to land use, resource competition and ethnic divisions in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where Benue State is located. These dynamics often intersect with weak law enforcement presence in remote areas, enabling armed groups to operate with relative impunity.
Reacting to the recent surge in violence, former Attorney-General of the Federation and prominent legal figure in the state, Mr Michael Aondoakaa, also condemned the Kwande killings, stressing that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property. He urged both state and federal authorities to act decisively to safeguard vulnerable communities and to collaborate more effectively to stem the cycle of violence.
Across the state capital and surrounding towns, residents have echoed calls for enhanced security measures. Local leaders in both Otukpo and Kwande have implored military and police authorities to intensify patrols, establish checkpoints on key routes and strengthen intelligence-gathering networks to prevent further bloodshed. Many have attributed gaps in security response to limited resources and the challenging terrain that characterises many rural parts of Benue.
For now, the assassinated former chairman’s family and the families of the Kwande victims remain in mourning, with community funerals expected in the coming days. The succession of violent incidents has once again highlighted the deep security challenges facing Benue State, prompting renewed calls for urgent action from both government authorities and civil society groups.
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