Tears As Benue Community Buries 8 Killed In Suspected Herdsmen Attack

Residents of Otukpo-Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have held a mass burial for eight people killed in a suspected armed herdsmen attack, as grief and tears enveloped the community.

The victims were laid to rest in a solemn ceremony attended by family members, community leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders, many of whom struggled to hold back tears as they paid their final respects.

A resident of the community, Attah Rueben, who attended the funeral, described the ceremony as one of the saddest moments in the history of the community.

“The funeral was brief. The atmosphere was charged. Tears were flowing. It was the saddest day for the people of Otukpo-Nobi community. May their souls rest in peace. Amen,” he said.

Prayers were offered by a Catholic priest before the eight victims, laid in white caskets, were lowered into graves dug side by side.

The victims were killed when suspected armed herdsmen attacked Otukpo-Nobi community in the early hours of Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Reacting to the incident, Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, described the attack as deadly and called on security agencies to ensure those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor condemned the attack and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.