Fresh Attack by Armed Herders in Otobi Leaves Residents Dead and Displaced

Published

1 hour ago

16/04/2025

Panic and chaos swept through Otobi community in Akpa District, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday evening, following a violent invasion by suspected armed herders.

The Otobi herders attack has reportedly left several people dead and forced hundreds of residents to flee for safety.

A resident, Edwin Emma, raised the alarm during a distress call to journalists. “We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community. My wife and children are fleeing as I speak. Please call for help,” he said urgently.

Kennedy Angbo, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa in the Benue State House of Assembly, confirmed the assault. According to him, the attack began around 5:30 p.m., and by the time of his statement, three bodies had already been recovered.

“Right now, many people are feared dead, and hundreds have fled the community,” Angbo said during a phone interview.

This tragic event marks the third reported assault on Otobi in the month of April, intensifying fears among residents who are already grappling with growing insecurity in the region.

Efforts to contact the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful as her phone lines remained unreachable at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, who is currently in Abuja handling post-election matters, confirmed the incident in a phone conversation.

“Yes, the attack by herders on Otobi community is confirmed,” Ogiri stated. “Though I’m not on ground, I’ve instructed my aides in Otobi and Akpa district to liaise with security agencies and move to the affected area immediately.”

He added that while he had not received a full account of the casualties, he had been informed that the violence was still ongoing as of Tuesday evening.

“I’ve been informed that the attack is ongoing. While I’ve not received confirmation of deaths yet, I expect to have clearer details by tomorrow,” Ogiri noted.

He appealed to residents to stay calm and obey the law, assuring them that security operatives were working to stabilize the situation and ensure the safety of lives and property.

As Otobi mourns yet another violent episode, many are calling for urgent government intervention to bring lasting peace to the troubled area. With the repeated attacks, locals are left questioning how much longer they can remain in their ancestral homes without fear.