Suspected Armed Herdsmen Launch Deadly Attack on Otobi Community in Benue State

Some of the burnt houses in the fresh Benue attack on April 15, 2025

Suspected armed herdsmen have carried out a deadly invasion of Otobi community in the Akpa district of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, resulting in the killing of several residents and the burning of properties across the area.

The attack reportedly began around 5:30 p.m. and continued into the night, leaving the community in chaos as residents fled for their lives. According to eyewitness accounts, gunfire erupted as the assailants stormed the village, with houses and other structures set ablaze during the assault.

A resident, John Ada, stated that at least three corpses were discovered early on by those attempting to escape, but he expressed concern that the actual death toll would likely be much higher, as the gunmen were still actively shooting and many residents remained unaccounted for. “It is a troubling situation,” he said.

Some of the burnt houses in the fresh Benue attack on April 15, 2025

Kennedy Angbo, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly and a native of Akpa district, confirmed the attack, noting that an unconfirmed number of people had been killed and that hundreds of residents were fleeing the area to avoid further violence.

Another resident, Edwin Emmanuel, who narrowly escaped the violence, described the incident as an unprovoked and surprise assault. He issued a desperate call for help from security agencies while revealing that his wife and children were running for safety. “We are under severe attack by herdsmen,” he said. “Please call for help.”

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the incident. Speaking from Abuja, he explained that he was informed by aides in the area about the ongoing attack and had since ordered the deployment of security personnel to the community. “As I speak with you, security agents are being drafted to the area. Since I am not on ground, I am yet to get full reports of the attack. But it is a herders’ attack,” he said, adding that he expected more details by the following day.

Efforts to obtain a statement from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful at the time of this report. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents involving suspected herders in Benue State, raising further concerns about the persistent insecurity in the region.