Tears flow freely as Benue community holds mass burial for victims of herdsmen attack
It was tears and wailing as victims of a recent herdsmen attack in Otobi Akpa community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, were laid to rest on Sunday, April 27.
Suspected herdsmen on April 15 launched a vicious attack on the community, killing over 10 persons and leaving several others injured.
Amidst tears and anguish, the bereaved families wailed, raining curses on the herdsmen.
Grief-stricken mourners wept uncontrollably as the caskets containing the remains of the victims were lowered into the earth.
The ceremony for the mass burial was carried out at Methodist Primary School in Otobi Akpa.
Addressing the bereaved families during the burial, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, described the day as the saddest in the history of the community.
He prayed that such evil would never again befall the land and called for unity among the people during this difficult time.
Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives, Francis Agbo Ottah, urged the grieving families to find strength in the face of tragedy.
While condoling with victims, he appealed for calm and resilience, assuring that their loss would not be forgotten.
Shortly after the burial rites, mourners proceeded to the Oche K’Akpa Palace, where the wailing and lamentations continued as the community struggled to grapple with the tragic events.
The loss of so many lives in such a brutal way should be a wake-up call for both local and national leaders. The ongoing conflict between herders and farmers has led to devastating consequences, and it’s clear that we need to prioritize dialogue and lasting peacebuilding efforts.