Armed herdsmen launched a violent attack on Otobi, a community in Nigeria’s Benue State, on Tuesday evening, leaving seven people dead and more than 20 others injured. This assault marks the third such attack in the region within the month of April, highlighting the escalating violence between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s middle-belt.
The attack occurred around 5:30 p.m. in Akpa district, located within the Otukpo Local Government Area, and lasted for approximately two hours. In addition to the fatalities and injuries, many homes were destroyed by fire, further displacing vulnerable residents.
Kennedy Angbo, a lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, expressed his grave concerns in a phone interview. “We need help, as our people are being killed mercilessly,” Angbo said. He also reported that hundreds of people have fled Otobi, fearing for their safety as the violence intensifies.
Despite the severity of the attack, authorities have yet to release an official statement. Otobi, which is home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Water Dam, has now endured multiple attacks this month, further straining the already tense situation.
Catherine Anene, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police, confirmed that an official statement would be issued soon.
The conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria has escalated over the years, fueled by competition for land and resources. This longstanding crisis has claimed thousands of lives and is exacerbating ethnic, regional, and religious tensions across the country. What began as sporadic disputes has now morphed into a major security challenge, with organized groups carrying out brutal attacks on rural communities.
In Benue State, the situation has become dire, with local leaders and residents urging both federal and state governments to take more decisive action to address the conflict. The violence continues to impact the daily lives of people in the region, as communities like Otobi endure the devastating consequences of an unresolved crisis.
The calls for intervention are growing louder, as the people of Benue face ongoing insecurity and destruction at the hands of armed groups that are exploiting long-standing disputes over land access and control.