BREAKING NEWS IN NIGERIA: Several Feared Killed in Suspected Herdsmen Attack on Benue Community.

 

Suspected herdsmen attacked the Otobi community in the Akpa district of the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday evening, with reports indicating that several individuals may have been killed in the violence. The assault began around 5:30 PM, according to Kennedy Angbo, a lawmaker representing the Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly.

In a phone interview with Channels Television, Angbo stated that an unconfirmed number of casualties have been reported, and hundreds of residents have fled the community in fear for their safety. “We are receiving distress calls from the community. This is a tragic situation,” he emphasized.

Local resident Edwin Emma also shared his concerns, stating, “We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community. My wife and children are fleeing from the community as I speak. Please call for help.” His plea underscores the urgent need for government and security forces to intervene in the crisis.

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The Otobi community, which is home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Water Dam, has faced multiple attacks in recent weeks, including the recent killing of a security guard at the facility.

As of the time of this report, the police have not issued any statements regarding the attack or its aftermath.

In a related context, neighbouring Plateau State has experienced a surge in violence, with over 100 individuals killed in the past two weeks as marauders unleashed terror on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas. The ongoing unrest in both states has raised significant concerns about security and the safety of residents in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone.