Suspected armed herders kill several residents in fresh Benue attack

No less than sixteen people have been killed in what was said to be an attack on the part of armed herdsmen in Nobi community located in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attackers reportedly attacked the community early hours of Sunday morning and caused havoc.

Fired up by this development, the youths and women from the community trooped onto the streets of Otukpo, including the palace of the Och’Idoma, in protest against the killings.

By the time this report is being filed, the protesters had closed all access points into the ancient town, especially the Enugu-Otukpo and Makurdi-Otukpo roads.

One of the protesters, who identified herself as Comfort Inalegwu, told our correspondent in a telephone interview on Sunday, “Some Fulani herdsmen, between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. today, attacked Nobi community in Otukpo, shooting sporadically, which made residents flee.

“At least 16 people were killed this morning during the attack. I lost my sister and two of her children in the attack. The Fulani entered her house and shot them. Their corpses are now at the morgue of Otukpo General Hospital.”

Inalegwu, who said several people were also injured during the attack, threatened that women would continue to protest and ensure that elections were not held in the area unless the government stopped the incessant killings of innocent people in Idoma land.