Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents of the Ondo community in Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, fled their homes on Tuesday morning, 14 July 2026, following a fresh attack by suspected armed herders, marking the third assault on communities in the local government area in less than a week. The attackers stormed the community in the early hours of the day and opened fire, throwing residents into panic and forcing families to flee to neighbouring settlements.
A native of the community and Labour Party House of Assembly candidate for the 2027 elections, Hon. Jimmy Nart, confirmed that the attack was still ongoing at the time of filing this report. In a distress message, he wrote: "I just received information from my family that Fulani terrorists are currently attacking Ondo, Ugboju. Protect yourself".
The latest attack came barely 48 hours after suspected armed herders invaded Otukpo-Nobi community, also in Otukpo Local Government Area, where more than 18 people were reportedly killed. That assault followed an earlier attack on Friday, 10 July 2026, when gunmen invaded Akpachi village in Ugboju community, killing two farmers on their farmland.
The Ondo community in Ugboju is located within Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, and is distinct from Ondo State in the South-West. The recurring attacks in the area have heightened fears among residents, who have accused the government of failing to protect them from persistent violence.
The violence has been linked to possible reprisals following the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, who were ambushed and killed around Okwudu in Otukpo Local Government Area on 26 June 2026 while returning from a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The attacks have triggered outrage in Otukpo, with angry youths and residents staging protests and marching to the Och'Idoma Palace in Otukpo town to express their frustration over the worsening security situation and demand urgent government intervention. Some protesters carried the bodies of victims to the palace, disrupting an ongoing church service and demanding decisive action from authorities. The protests caused tension in the town as youths blocked major roads, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the attacks, describing them as "barbaric" and "an inhuman assault on the sanctity of life and the collective soul of the people of Benue State." In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor directed security agencies to intensify surveillance, collaborate with neighbouring states, track down the attackers and ensure they are prosecuted. Alia also directed security agencies to deploy additional personnel and resources to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks.
Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian authorities to conduct an independent, impartial and effective investigation into the attacks, noting that repeated assaults on rural communities have left Benue State with "fresh graves and several internally displaced persons' camps." The organisation also urged the government to protect civilians and address the worsening humanitarian situation, warning that attacks by gunmen have displaced at least 500,000 people in the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties from the latest attack on the Ondo community could not be independently verified. The Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement, with the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, not responding to calls or messages seeking confirmation. Residents said the situation remained tense as many families continued to flee the area for fear of further attacks.
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