Just in: Several persons feared killed as suspected herdsmen unleash terror on Benue community

Burnt house during the attack

Suspected herdsmen on Tuesday evening attacked the Otobi community in the Akpa district of the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack started about 5:30pm on Tuesday, according to the lawmaker who represents Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo.

The lawmaker, who hails from Akpa district, in a telephone conversation with Channels Television, said an unconfirmed number of persons have been killed and hundreds have fled the community.

A resident of the Otobi community, Edwin Emma, also told our correspondent in Benue, that many persons were feared killed as he called for help from the government and security forces.

“We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community, my wife and children are fleeing from the community as I speak, please call for help,” the frightened resident said.

Another resident of the community who preferred anonymity said the attacks have become incessant and the state Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia has refused to acknowledge the severity of the attacks.

Speaking with the Recorder, he alleged that the attackers have on several occasions been traced to David Mark’s farm, which is within the community.

“At a point the community chased away the Fulanis manning the farm because we found out ransoms are negotiated or paid in that axis, hence the decision to chase away Fulani workers there. Since then the attacks have increased and David Mark is saying and doing nothing about it,” he alleged.