Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the latest deadly attack on Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, describing it as another cruel assault on innocent residents and promising that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The governor also praised security operatives, particularly the Benue State Police Command, for their swift response, which led to the killing of two suspected attackers during a gun battle after the incident.
The attack, which residents blamed on suspected armed herders, occurred in the early hours of Tuesday and reportedly claimed the lives of at least 14 people, although some local residents said 15 bodies had been recovered while search efforts were still ongoing. Several others were injured, while many villagers fled their homes in fear.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia expressed deep sorrow over the killings and said his administration remained determined to protect lives and property across the state.
He described the attackers as criminals who must face the consequences of their actions.
According to the statement, scores of people were murdered and many others sustained varying degrees of injuries when the attackers invaded the community.
The governor said that immediately after receiving reports of the attack, the Benue State Police Command deployed officers to pursue the gunmen.
He disclosed that security operatives caught up with some of the fleeing attackers, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
During the operation, two of the suspected bandits, believed to have remained behind to provide cover for the others to escape, were shot dead by the police.
The governor commended the security personnel for their bravery and quick response, saying their actions demonstrated commitment to protecting the people despite the difficult security situation.
He assured residents that his administration would continue to provide the support needed by security agencies to track down criminal groups operating in the state.
Governor Alia also vowed that his government would not allow criminals to force Benue people out of their ancestral communities through violence and intimidation.
“Our people are peaceful and hardworking. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured,” he said.
The latest attack reportedly occurred at about 5 a.m. on Tuesday when the gunmen stormed Efeyi community, shooting indiscriminately as frightened residents ran for safety.
Eyewitnesses said the attack lasted for several hours before security personnel arrived in the area.
One resident, who identified himself simply as Okpe, described the incident as one of the worst attacks the community had witnessed in recent times.
According to him, the attackers entered the community at about 5 a.m. and continued shooting until around 7 a.m.
He claimed that security operatives did not arrive until the attackers had already caused significant destruction.
“The current situation in Efeyi Ugboju is pathetic. The attack started around 5 a.m. this morning, and until about 7 a.m., there was no response from security agents,” he said.
Okpe alleged that the attackers were armed Fulani herders who fired repeatedly as they moved through the community.
He said that as of Tuesday, 15 bodies had been recovered, while several people remained missing.
According to him, local residents were still searching nearby bushes and surrounding areas for missing relatives and neighbours.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, although he put the death toll at 14.
He said many other residents suffered injuries and were receiving treatment.
Ogiri described the attack as unprovoked and expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area.
According to him, many residents of neighbouring communities have abandoned their homes for fear of further attacks.
“There was no provocation at all. The attack was carried out by the same Fulani herdsmen. I think they just came to shed blood and kill people,” he said.
He noted that several security agencies, including the military, police, Mobile Police and Agro-Rangers, were already operating in the area but suggested that additional measures might be needed to stop the repeated attacks.
The council chairman called on the government to strengthen the enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law, arguing that weak enforcement had continued to fuel insecurity.
According to him, eviction notices issued against illegal occupants would have little effect unless they were properly enforced.
Benue has remained one of Nigeria’s states most affected by violent clashes involving suspected armed herders, with several communities suffering repeated attacks over the years.
The violence has claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands of residents and destroyed farmlands, worsening humanitarian and food security challenges in the state.
Successive administrations in Benue have maintained that the state’s anti-open grazing law remains central to efforts aimed at reducing conflicts between farmers and herders.
However, attacks have continued despite the law and the presence of security personnel in several flashpoint communities.
Otukpo and neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area have witnessed a series of deadly incidents in recent weeks.
About three weeks ago, suspected armed herders attacked Otobi community, also in Otukpo Local Government Area, where eight people were reportedly killed.
The fresh attack on Efeyi has further heightened fears among residents, many of whom now live under constant threat of violence.
Some members of the public have linked the recent wave of attacks in the area to possible reprisals following the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Risku Mohammed.
Mohammed was killed on June 24, 2026, at Okpokwu village in Otukpo Local Government Area shortly after attending a peace meeting in neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area.
Although security agencies have not officially linked the recent attacks to his death, the incident has remained a subject of discussion among community leaders and residents.
The latest killings have renewed calls for stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering and closer cooperation between security agencies and local communities to prevent further bloodshed.
Residents are also urging the Federal Government and the Benue State Government to intensify efforts to restore peace to affected communities and ensure that those responsible for the attacks are arrested and prosecuted.