Makurdi, Nigeria: Suspected armed herders killed at least 16 residents during an attack on the Nobi community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State at approximately 3:30 a.m. WAT on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Okay News reports that Nigeria’s Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, condemned the killings and directed security agencies to intensify surveillance across affected communities.
Protesters blocked the Enugu-Otukpo and Makurdi-Otukpo roads, marching to the palace of the Och’Idoma to demand an end to the violence.
Local resident Comfort Inalegwu said, “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.”
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, issued a statement saying, “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.”
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, and the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment.
