Gunmen kill 2-month-old baby, 25 others in fresh Plateau, Benue attacks
At least 16 people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in Nobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a local source, the assailants stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday and unleashed terror.
Angered by the development, youths and women from the community took to major streets in Otukpo, including the palace of the Och’Idoma, to protest the killings.
As of the time of filing this report, the protesters had blocked all entrances into the ancient town, including the Enugu–Otukpo and Makurdi–Otukpo roads.
One of the protesters, who identified herself as Comfort Inalegwu, told The Punch in a telephone interview on Sunday, “Some Fulani herdsmen, between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. today, attacked Nobi community in Otukpo, shooting sporadically, which made residents flee.
“At least 16 people were killed this morning during the attack. I lost my sister and two of her children in the attack. The Fulani entered her house and shot them. Their corpses are now at the morgue of Otukpo General Hospital.”
Inalegwu, who said several people were also injured during the attack, threatened that women would continue to protest and ensure that elections were not held in the area unless the government stopped the incessant killings of innocent people in Idoma land.
She added that many people were still missing as at press time.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, describing them as “not only a breach of peace, but also a barbaric and inhuman assault on the sanctity of life and the collective soul of the people of Benue State.”
The condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
The statement read in part, “The suspected armed herders reportedly invaded Akpachi Village in Akpa, Otukpo Local Government Area, between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. while residents were asleep. The attackers killed scores of people, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“These acts of mindless bloodshed are a direct attempt to sabotage the progress of our state.”
Alia, who expressed sadness over the attack, said, he “shares in the grief and anger of the people of Otukpo and the entire Benue South Senatorial District,” saying, ‘Your lives are precious, and I can assure you that your ancestral lands will not be surrendered to fear.’”
The governor said the people of the state had consistently demonstrated remarkable restraint and commitment to peace but warned that such restraint must never be mistaken for weakness.
While consoling the people of Otukpo, the governor said, “My government stands firmly with you, and we will not allow our communities to be turned into killing fields.”
He directed all security agencies operating in the state to liaise with their counterparts in neighbouring states and to “swing into action” with renewed vigour by intensifying surveillance and patrols across the affected communities and border areas.
He also called on security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and to deploy additional personnel and resources to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks.
While calling on Benue residents to remain vigilant, the governor urged every citizen to cooperate with the police and military by providing timely and credible intelligence, saying, “Security is a collective responsibility, and your information is a vital tool in our defence.”
Similarly, at least nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old infant, were reportedly killed in a late-night attack by suspected gunmen on Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday.
According to residents, the attack began at about 11:30 p.m. and lasted for more than an hour.
The village head of the community was also critically injured.
A resident, Precious Tok, who confirmed the attack on Sunday that the attackers stormed the communities in large numbers and opened fire indiscriminately.
“The gunmen came in large numbers, shooting everywhere. We could hear screams from the houses. They entered homes and slaughtered people. It was one of the deadliest attacks we have seen here in recent times.
“The victims in one house were nine from the same family. Even a two-month-old baby was not spared. We ran into the bush for safety and only returned this morning to see the bodies,” Tok said.
Another resident, who requested anonymity, described the scene as “horrific” and lamented the recurring insecurity in the area.
“We buried our children with our own hands again. This is too much. Government should come and help us. Every time they attack at night and by morning people are dead. We are tired of running,” the resident said.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the attack, saying it was carried out under the cover of darkness.
“The assailants struck when everyone was asleep and unleashed violence on helpless residents. Nine members of one family, including a two-month-old infant, were wiped out, while the village head sustained life-threatening injuries and has been rushed to hospital for treatment,” Tengwong said.
He added that security agencies had been alerted and expressed hope that “the perpetrators will be apprehended and brought to justice.”
The attack has thrown the affected communities into mourning, with residents calling on the Federal Government and the Plateau State Government to strengthen security in Riyom and other vulnerable communities to halt the recurring violence.
As of the time of filing this report, security personnel had been deployed to Kum and Wereng-Camp, while many residents remained displaced and fearful of further attacks.
