At least six killed in Benue bandit attacks across Otukpo communities, with police investigating and four people still missing

No fewer than six people, including a retired Nigerian Army warrant officer and a former councillor, have been killed in a series of bandit attacks on communities in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

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The attacks took place between Sunday and the early hours of Tuesday.

On Sunday, the retired warrant officer was reportedly shot dead at Asa 2 community, while two others were attacked along the Otobi–Akpam Road.

A woman and a child were also abducted in a related incident.

In the early hours of Tuesday, suspected armed herders struck Otobi-Akpa community, killing five individuals, including former councillor and 2019 Peoples Democratic Party House of Assembly candidate, Ochi Ugbabe.

Other victims were identified as Achibi Onah, Eje Eba, and Sunday Iruja, with one victim yet to be identified.

Maxwell Ogri, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, described the assailants as bandits masquerading as herders.

“The bandits, believed to have come from the North-East and parts of the Middle Belt, are responsible for the killings and kidnappings recorded after the festive period,” he said.

Local residents reported that the attackers invaded Otobi-Akpa around 1:30am, shortly after community vigilantes withdrew for rest.

The gunmen reportedly stormed the community through the railway bridge linking the Ijami axis, opened fire on residents near a transformer junction, looted food and valuables, and then fled into a nearby forest.

Community leader John Anyebe said the assailants first shot a resident near the water board before proceeding to the location of Hon. Ugbabe and other victims.

Kennedy Angbo, the Otukpo/Akpa constituency lawmaker in the Benue State House of Assembly, condemned the persistent attacks.

“Just on Sunday, passengers on a Benue Links bus were attacked around Otukpo, with three people shot and hospitalised. Now, five more of my people have been killed in Otobi community,” he said.

Joseph Har, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, confirmed reports that the attackers targeted a provision shop for food.

Security operatives, including police and Community Protection Guards, have been deployed to prevent further incidents.

Four persons abducted earlier in the area remain missing.

DSP Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, also confirmed the attack.

“Sadly, an incident occurred earlier today at Otobi-Akpa, resulting in the death of four persons. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the perpetrators,” she stated.

Otobi-Akpa community was previously attacked in April 2025, when 13 people were reportedly killed.

Residents attribute the recent attacks to seasonal migration of herders into the Benue Valley and increasing criminal activities across rural communities.

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Last Saturday, two security operatives a soldier and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel were killed during an assault on an Operation Whirl Stroke patrol in Kwande Local Government Area.