Suspected armed herders have attacked a group of commuters in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing two people and abducting four others.
The incident occurred on Sunday along a remote road in the area, heightening concerns over growing insecurity in the state. Eyewitnesses say the assailants, who were heavily armed, ambushed a commercial vehicle transporting passengers between rural communities. The attackers opened fire, killing two victims instantly, and forcefully took four others into the nearby bush.
Local residents have described the attack as brutal and unprovoked. One witness, who narrowly escaped, said, “They blocked the road and started shooting without warning. It was chaos. Some of us managed to flee into the bush.”
Authorities have confirmed the attack. The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command stated that officers have been deployed to the area and a search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to locate the kidnapped individuals.
The Otukpo incident is the latest in a series of violent encounters attributed to armed herders in Benue, a state that has for years battled insecurity linked to clashes between farmers and herders. The state government has repeatedly called for increased federal security intervention, citing the persistent threat to lives and livelihoods in affected communities.
READ MORE: AfDB Commits $650 Million Annually to Boost Nigeria’s Economic Development
Community leaders have condemned the attack and urged residents to remain vigilant while cooperating with security forces. Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region, as families of the victims await further news and residents demand stronger protection from further violence.
