BLOODY WEEKEND IN BENUE SOUTH: Many killed as suspected herdsmen attack Ugboju, Otukpo Nobi communities

It was a bloody weekend in Benue South as no fewer than 10 people were killed in separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the latest wave of violence began on Saturday when suspected herdsmen invaded Akpachi village in Ugboju community, killing two persons and leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.

Barely 24 hours later, the attackers struck again, this time invading Otukpo Nobi community in the early hours of Sunday, where at least eight persons were reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries.

The coordinated attacks have thrown the affected communities into mourning and heightened fears over the worsening security situation in Benue South.

The killings sparked spontaneous protests as angry youths and residents marched to the Och’Idoma Palace in Otukpo, demanding urgent intervention from the government and security agencies to halt the persistent attacks on their communities.

The latest bloodshed comes barely one month after the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah.

The duo were ambushed and killed around Okwudu in Otukpo Local Government Area on June 26 while returning from a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.

Residents of the affected communities have expressed fears over the renewed attacks, calling on both the Benue State and Federal Governments to deploy additional security personnel to prevent further loss of lives.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the attacks, while the casualty figure was expected to rise as search efforts continued in the affected communities.