Just a day after 11 people were killed in a brutal attack on Otobi village, blood has again been spilled in Benue State. This time, three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) — Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju — came under fresh attack by suspected herdsmen on Wednesday.
The renewed violence has sparked panic and grief across the region, as residents abandon their homes and flee into nearby bushes for safety. While the exact number of casualties in the latest assault remains unclear, local sources say many may have died in the coordinated attacks.
This week’s wave of attacks marks another dark chapter in the ongoing farmer-herder crisis that has plagued Benue State and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region for over a decade.
The three communities targeted on Wednesday — Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju — had already witnessed bloodshed earlier this year. In February, five people were killed in separate attacks in the same areas. Now, the residents find themselves reliving the same horror.
The fresh attacks occurred while the state was still mourning the 11 lives lost in Otobi village on Tuesday night. According to Otukpo LGA Chairman, Mr. Maxwell Ogiri, the gunmen struck the three villages almost at the same time, just as top security officials, including the Commissioner of Police, were still in Otukpo for an emergency meeting over the Otobi killings.
“Only young men were in the communities when the attackers arrived. The prompt response from combined security operatives made the attackers flee, but unfortunately, none of them were arrested,” Ogiri said.
He also confirmed that three people sustained injuries in the attacks and are currently receiving treatment. Women and children, gripped by fear, have fled the affected communities, leaving behind homes, farms, and belongings.
The latest attacks came just hours after Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed the arrest of three suspected herdsmen in connection with Tuesday night’s deadly invasion of Otobi. The arrests were seen by many as a hopeful sign that authorities were finally taking steps to curb the violence.
While investigations into the Otobi killings were ongoing, the attackers returned — this time striking three other communities within the same local government.
Police spokesperson in the state, Sewuese Anene, said she was yet to confirm the full details of Wednesday’s attacks. However, security sources say military and police patrols have been intensified across the region in a bid to prevent further attacks.
Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has in recent years become one of Nigeria’s bloodiest hotspots due to clashes between farmers and herders. The conflict, often sparked by disputes over land, grazing routes, and water, has led to the deaths of thousands and the displacement of countless others.
Many of the attacks are blamed on armed herdsmen, who invade farming communities, destroy crops, and kill residents. In return, local militias and vigilantes have been known to retaliate, creating a cycle of revenge attacks and prolonged insecurity.
In 2017, Benue made national headlines when over 70 people were killed in coordinated attacks that led the state government to pass the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law. The law, aimed at stopping herders from moving cattle freely across the state, was praised by many but has also been linked to an increase in targeted violence.
Despite repeated calls from local leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society groups, the attacks have continued — often with little or no arrests made.
With every fresh attack, more people are displaced. Entire communities have been emptied, schools shut down, and farmlands abandoned. Humanitarian groups say the situation is becoming a full-blown crisis, especially as the rainy season approaches — a time when farmers typically return to their fields.
“We are seeing people who have lost everything,” said a volunteer with a local aid group. “They have no homes, no food, and no protection. Some have fled with just the clothes on their backs.”
The displaced are often forced to take shelter in overcrowded camps or with relatives in nearby towns, where resources are already stretched thin. Many of them are women, children, and the elderly — the most vulnerable members of the population.
The people of Benue have repeatedly called on the federal government to take stronger action against the attackers. Community leaders say local efforts are not enough, and that only a coordinated national security response can stop the bloodshed.
Speaking on the latest attacks, a youth leader from one of the affected communities said, “We are tired of burying our people. We are calling on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security in Benue. This is no longer a local issue — it is a national disaster.”
He also called on the military to launch sustained operations in the area to flush out armed groups hiding in nearby forests and border communities.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who has repeatedly condemned the attacks, has promised to work closely with security agencies to restore peace. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities during investigations.
“We are doing everything possible to protect lives and property,” the governor said in a statement. “Those responsible for these attacks will be brought to justice.”
