Report: Attackers avoided gunfire, used machetes in Benue communities

A security alert issued by TruthNigeria and Equipping the Persecuted (ETP) has raised fresh concerns over the safety of residents in parts of Benue State, claiming that suspected Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) members are carrying out house-to-house attacks on Christian farming communities in Otukpo Local Government Area.

According to the report, the attackers are allegedly operating under the cover of darkness and avoiding the use of firearms to prevent alerting nearby residents. Instead, they are said to be moving from house to house and attacking victims with machetes.

The organisations said credible intelligence indicated that the attacks were ongoing in communities within the Otukpo axis, with residents urged to remain indoors and exercise extreme caution.

The report further claimed that suspected militia members had been sighted in forested areas around Ikobi, Ojantele and Ataganyi, from where they could allegedly ambush travellers along major highways, infiltrate farming communities or launch fresh nighttime attacks.

Residents of the affected communities were said to have expressed concern over what they described as the absence of significant deployments of military personnel and Mobile Police units in the area despite the growing security threats.

TruthNigeria and ETP called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy additional security personnel, including the Mobile Police Force, to Otukpo, Adoka, Ugboju, Ojantele, Ikobi and neighbouring communities to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among residents.

The organisations also advised residents and motorists travelling through the affected areas to avoid isolated routes, remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to community leaders and security agencies.