Aggrieved residents of Benue South on Sunday staged a dramatic protest at the palace of the paramount ruler of the Idoma nation, the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agabaidu Elaigwu John Odogbo, after fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen left at least 16 people dead in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The protesters, mostly youths, carried the corpses of some of the victims to the palace to express their anger over the continued killings in their communities and to demand urgent action from the government and security agencies.
The attacks reportedly occurred in two separate communities in Otukpo Local Government Area, one of the major local government areas in Benue South. Local sources said the attackers invaded the communities, killing residents and leaving many others in fear.
The latest violence has added to growing concerns over insecurity in Benue State, where repeated clashes and attacks have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years.
Eyewitnesses said the protesters marched through parts of Otukpo before arriving at the Och’Idoma Palace with the bodies of the victims. Their action was meant to draw attention to what they described as the worsening security situation and the inability of authorities to protect lives and property.
During the protest, the angry youths called on the Benue State Government, the Federal Government and security agencies to take immediate steps to stop the killings across Benue South.
They said residents had continued to live in fear because of repeated attacks on their communities, adding that many people no longer felt safe in their ancestral homes.
In a video shared on social media, the protesters expressed frustration over what they described as years of neglect and unfulfilled promises by political leaders.
“How long will this continue? Will a man escape from his own ancestral land? We have lost hope in our politicians,” some of the protesters were heard shouting.
The demonstration reflected the deep frustration among residents who believe that repeated attacks have continued without adequate response from the authorities.
Although the palace of the Och’Idoma is regarded as a symbol of unity and traditional leadership for the Idoma people, the protesters said they wanted the royal father to use his influence to draw greater attention to the suffering of his people and push for stronger government intervention.
As of Sunday evening, there was no official statement from the Benue State Government on the latest attacks. Security agencies had also not released details of any arrests or operations connected with the incident.
Benue has remained one of the states most affected by violent attacks linked to armed herdsmen and disputes over land and grazing. Many communities, especially in rural areas, have experienced repeated invasions that have resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of homes and farmlands.
The crisis has displaced thousands of residents over the years, forcing many families to seek shelter in camps for internally displaced persons or move to safer communities.
Farmers have repeatedly complained that insecurity has prevented them from cultivating their lands, raising fears over food production in a state widely regarded as Nigeria’s “Food Basket.”
The Federal Government has on several occasions promised to tackle insecurity in Benue and other affected states through military and police operations. However, attacks have continued despite these assurances.
Community leaders and civil society groups have also repeatedly called for stronger intelligence gathering, increased deployment of security personnel and the prosecution of those responsible for the killings.
The latest attack comes at a time when concerns over insecurity remain high across several parts of the country, with communities in Benue, Plateau, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina and other states facing threats from armed groups.
Residents of Otukpo and surrounding communities have urged both the state and federal governments to move beyond promises and take concrete action to protect lives and restore confidence among the people.
Many residents said the repeated loss of lives was becoming unbearable and warned that communities were losing faith in the ability of the authorities to provide security.
The protest at the Och’Idoma’s palace is one of the strongest public demonstrations in Benue South in recent months and highlights the growing anger over the continued bloodshed in the area.