Herders Kill 15 in Benue Community Attack

In the early hours of Tuesday, suspected armed herders invaded the Efeyi community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals. The attack occurred around 5 am, with reports indicating that the assailants, identified as Fulani herdsmen, fired sporadically upon entering the community.

A local resident, Okpe, reported that as of 7 am, there was no response from security forces. Otukpo LGA Chairman Maxwell Ogiri confirmed that 14 bodies had been recovered, with many others injured, and described the attack as unprovoked.

He criticized the lack of immediate security response despite the presence of various security agencies. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed his condolences and commended the police for neutralizing two attackers.

He emphasized the need for accountability for the violence against the community and called for better enforcement of the anti-open grazing law.