Benue Massacre: Gunmen Kill 8 in Otukpo Community Hours After Burial, Five Injured

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Tragedy struck again in Benue State after suspected gunmen launched a deadly midnight attack on Otukpo Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, killing at least eight people and injuring five others just hours after residents gathered to bury an elderly community member.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, July 12, 2026, has thrown the community into mourning and renewed concerns over the persistent wave of insecurity ravaging Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

According to the Benue State Police Command, the assailants invaded the community under the cover of darkness and opened fire indiscriminately on residents, many of whom were asleep after attending the burial of Adaje Okoh, an 80-year-old elder.

Police confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the attack, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

The latest bloodshed came only days after another deadly attack in nearby Akpachi village, where two people were reportedly killed. Local authorities say the back-to-back assaults have deepened fear among residents and heightened tension across Otukpo Local Government Area.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks and said security agencies had been deployed to restore calm while efforts continue to track down those responsible.

Residents described terrifying scenes as heavily armed men stormed the village, forcing many families to flee into surrounding bushes to escape the gunfire. Others, who had remained behind after the burial ceremony, were caught in the unexpected assault.

The killings sparked widespread outrage across Otukpo, with angry youths staging protests to demand urgent government intervention. In one of the demonstrations, grieving residents reportedly carried the bodies of some victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma, calling for justice and stronger security measures to protect their communities.

Reacting to the incident, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, condemned the killings and distanced its members from the attack.

The association urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to identify those responsible, prosecute the perpetrators, and prevent innocent groups from being blamed without evidence. It also appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals that could further escalate the crisis.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia described the attack as “barbaric, cruel and unacceptable,” expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones.

The governor directed security agencies to intensify operations across the affected communities, strengthen surveillance, and ensure that everyone involved in the killings is apprehended and brought to justice.

Benue has remained one of Nigeria’s hardest-hit states by recurring attacks linked to armed criminal groups and long-running communal disputes. Despite repeated security operations, many rural communities continue to experience deadly assaults that have displaced thousands of residents and disrupted farming activities in a state widely regarded as the nation’s food basket.

The latest massacre has once again intensified calls for decisive action from the Federal Government and security agencies to end the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace across Benue State.

Investigations into the attack are ongoing, while security personnel have increased patrols in Otukpo and neighbouring communities to prevent further violence.

This is a developing story. More updates will be published as official information becomes available.