Six people have been confirmed dead after suspected herdsmen launched attacks on the Okpamaju community in Okete Ward and the Asa settlement in Ewulo Ward, both located in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Kennedy Angbo, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa in the Benue State House of Assembly, shared the devastating news with Channels Television, revealing that the attacks, which have spanned three days, have left several others injured, displaced, and forced entire communities to be abandoned.
Angbo emphasized that these continuous assaults have destabilized the region, disrupting public peace and even affecting academic activities at the Federal University of Health Sciences in Otukpo. Students at the institution are living in constant fear due to the ongoing threat of violence.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the deaths, stating that two individuals were killed in a violent clash on Wednesday. Anene attributed the conflict to alleged open grazing on farmland in Okpamaju, which had sparked tension among villagers. The situation escalated, leading to the tragic loss of life.
Benue State has struggled with herdsmen violence for over a decade. Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration has claimed to have made significant strides in addressing the issue. However, many villages remain vulnerable, as farmers continue to face violent attacks from armed herders, leaving communities living in constant danger.