Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen are attacking three communities in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The affected villages are Okpomaju, Odudaje, and Asa 2.
A local source reported that the gunmen, operating in different teams, invaded the communities on Wednesday evening, firing their weapons indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into the forest. The attacks began on Tuesday, with the gunmen returning on Wednesday evening.
“Currently, three villages in Otukpo, including mine, are under attack by Fulani herders. They launched multiple attacks yesterday (Tuesday) and came back this evening.
While most people have fled, some of us are still here to repel these attacks on our communities,” the resident told SaharaReporters. “Let the world be aware I died fighting for my community if you don’t get any update from me again; they are shooting at us now.”
These attacks are the latest in a series of incidents in Benue State, where suspected Fulani herdsmen have been responsible for the deaths of thousands and the displacement of many more.
SP Anene Sewuese, the Benue State police spokesperson, said that he was unaware of the current attacks but would investigate the situation.
