Benue killings: Och’Otukpo orders herders to leave kingdom after deadly Attack

The Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, has ordered all herders to clear themselves from all parts of Otukpo Kingdom immediately in the wake of a fatal attack on Nobi Village in Benue State.

This comes after a fatal attack that was carried out by herders armed with guns on Sunday, July 12, 2026, in Nobi Village, Otukpo District, and which resulted in loss of lives.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary of Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole, the Och’Otukpo Odu stated that the continued stay of the herders had posed a grave risk to the safety and security of the people in Otukpo Kingdom.

Chief Eimonye reiterated that the directive was not racially or ethnically motivated but rather an urgent move towards safeguarding lives and restoring peace in the kingdom.

His major worry was about what he referred to as constant attacks believed to have been carried out by herders with guns. He was sad to note that the people of Otukpo have constantly found themselves exposed to attacks.
In his declaration, he declared that he would not allow the Otukpo District to fall into the hands of anybody during his tenure, stressing that the people of the Otukpo Abakwu Kingdom stand firm in defending their native soil.
He equally urged security agencies and appropriate government authorities to beef up security within the area and shield its residents from future attacks.