Fresh herdsmen attacks in Benue leave 10 dead in 24 hours

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead following separate attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to reports gathered, the violence started on Saturday when suspected herdsmen attacked Akpachi village in Ugboju community, killing two persons and leaving several others injured. Less than 24 hours later, the attackers struck again, this time invading Otukpo Nobi community in the early hours of Sunday, where eight persons were killed.

The attacks have also triggered protests by angry youths and residents, who marched to the Och'Idoma Palace in Otukpo town to express frustration over the worsening security situation and demand urgent government intervention. This latest wave of violence comes barely one month after the killing of the Benue State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate Yakubu Isah around Okwudu in the same local government area.