Police officer, 13 others killed as suspected herders attack Benue communities

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

A mobile police officer and 13 others have reportedly been killed in fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Otukpo and Apa Local Government Areas, LGAs, of Benue State.

The attack also left several others injured, while many are still missing, though the search for them is ongoing.

A local source disclosed that the mobile police officer was killed on Saturday while attempting to repel an attack by armed herders on the Upu community in Otukpo LGA.

“Police personnel came to repel an attack by armed herdsmen who invaded Upu, and it was in the process that the herdsmen killed the officer,” the source said.

Another eyewitness further revealed that the attackers had earlier struck on Friday, invading Ikobi and Adija communities, where three persons were killed and several others sustained serious injuries.

“After killing two persons in Ikobi and one in Adija on Friday night, where many were injured and some declared missing, they returned on Sunday afternoon and attacked Edikwu-Ankpali, killing 10 persons, including women,” he said.

“So far, we have recovered 10 bodies in Edikwu-Ankpali, and many people are injured. As we speak, youths are still combing the bushes in search of those who are missing.

“Our fear is that, given the scale of the attack and the number of persons unaccounted for, more bodies may still be found in the bushes because the attackers came with the intention to massacre our people.

“It is all tears and wailing across the affected villages. Innocent people were killed for no reason, yet it feels like nothing has happened.

“This is unfortunate. Our people should be on their farms, but armed herdsmen are forcing us off our land, and the government has failed to stop their atrocities.

“The government has not prioritised the safety of our people. All they seem to care about is the 2027 elections while our people are being killed in their homes. It is deeply saddening,” he said.

Confirming the attacks in Apa LGA, the Council Chairman, Adams Ochega, described the situation as unfortunate and appealed for calm, assuring residents that security had been reinforced in the affected communities.

Similarly, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, who confirmed the killing of the mobile police officer in Upu, said the officer died on Saturday while repelling an incursion by armed herders. He added that additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to curb further attacks.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.