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OTUKPO, NIGERIA — Gunmen killed over 18 people in a weekend attack in Nigeria’s northern Benue state, triggering angry protests that paralyzed local infrastructure as residents blocked major roads in response to the violence.
The attack occurred early Sunday morning in the Otukpo-Nobi community, located within the Otukpo Local Government Area. According to local residents, armed men opened fire on the community between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Locals suspect the attackers were Fulani herders.
While residents and local officials report a death toll of at least 18, law enforcement has provided a conflicting figure. Benue police spokesperson Udeme Edet stated that eight people were killed and an additional five were wounded during the assault.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, local government chair Maxwell Ogiri linked Sunday’s violence to the killing of the local herders’ association chair, which occurred two weeks prior, suggesting the attack may have been retaliatory.
A Region Marred by Resource Conflict
This latest tragedy highlights the ongoing volatility in Benue state, which has frequently been the epicenter of deadly clashes. The violence is largely driven by deep-rooted conflicts between established farming communities and nomadic cattle herders. These groups, alongside various armed factions, are often locked in fierce competition over dwindling land and vital natural resources.
Community Outrage
The weekend massacre has ignited fierce backlash within the affected communities. On Sunday, groups of women and local youths marched through the town of Otukpo, actively blocking roads to protest the relentless violence and demand better security from local and national authorities.
ABT News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as local authorities continue their investigation.
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