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| Benue and Plateau Weekend Killings of Christians |
July 14, 2026 – Jos,
Plateau State
At least 36 people were
killed in coordinated attacks across Benue and Plateau States over the weekend,
with suspected armed herdsmen and gunmen striking multiple communities in what
authorities have linked to reprisal violence.
Benue State: 18 Killed
in Otukpo LGA
In Benue State, at
least 18 persons were killed in separate attacks on communities in Otukpo Local
Government Area. The violence began on Friday when suspected armed
herdsmen invaded Akpachi village in Ugboju community, killing two farmers on
their farmland. Their bodies were recovered on Saturday and buried.
Barely 24 hours later,
at about 4 a.m. on Sunday, the attackers struck Otukpo-Nobi community, killing
at least 16 persons, including women and children, and injuring several others. A
resident, Comfort Inalegwu, who lost her sister and two children in the attack,
told PUNCH: "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".
Police confirmed that
five others were wounded, and thatched houses and a motorcycle were also set
ablaze.
Angry Residents Protest
with Corpses
Following the attacks,
angry youths stormed the palace of the Och'Idoma, the paramount ruler of the
Idoma nation, with the bodies of victims, disrupting an ongoing church service
and demanding urgent government intervention. The protesters blocked major
roads in Otukpo, including the Enugu–Otukpo and Makurdi–Otukpo roads, leaving
commuters stranded for hours.
Attacks Linked to
MACBAN Chairman's Killing
Chairman of Otukpo
Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks and linked them to
possible reprisals following the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo
Risku Mohammed, and his companion, Yakubu Isah. The two were ambushed and
killed on June 26 at Okutu community in Otukpo while returning from a peace
meeting in Idekpa, Ohimini Local Government Area.
"You know, I am
sure the news of the death of Ardo Risku Mohammed is no longer news to you, and
with the mindset of the people we are dealing with, you should also know that
reprisals will likely occur," Ogiri said.
Plateau State: Nine
Family Members Killed in Riyom LGA
In Plateau State,
suspected gunmen attacked Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local
Government Area late Saturday night, killing nine members of the same family.
The attack began at
about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and lasted for more than an hour. A resident,
Precious Tok, told PUNCH: "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 Berom Youth
Moulders Association (BYM), in a statement signed by its National Publicity
Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, identified the victims as: Mrs. Celina James, 38; Mr.
Yohanna James, 21; Mrs. Janet Yohanna, 18; Baby Jennifer Yohanna, 3 months old;
Miss Sele James, 18; Miss Melody James, 16; Reto James, 10; Endurance James, 8;
and Peace James, 3. Mr. Pam Yohanna, 40, sustained life-threatening injuries
and is battling for his life.
BYM said the assault
was carried out by armed bandits and terrorist gangs from the Fass area. The
association called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect
vulnerable communities, dismantle terrorist hideouts, and apprehend and
prosecute the perpetrators.
Governor Alia Condemns
Attacks
Governor Hyacinth Alia
condemned the killings, describing them as "a barbaric and inhuman assault
on the sanctity of life and the collective soul of the people of Benue
State". In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the
governor said: "These acts of mindless bloodshed are a direct attempt to
sabotage the progress of our state".
Alia directed security
agencies to intensify surveillance and patrols across affected communities and
border areas, work with neighbouring states, and ensure that those responsible
are arrested and prosecuted.
Fresh Attack: Residents
Flee Ondo Community
On Tuesday morning,
suspected armed herdsmen attacked Ondo community in Ugboju, Otukpo LGA, forcing
residents to flee their homes. A native of the community and Labour Party House
of Assembly candidate, Hon. Jimmy Nart, said: "I just received information
from my family that Fulani terrorists are currently attacking Ondo, Ugboju.
Protect yourself". The attack came barely 48 hours after the Otukpo-Nobi
massacre.
MACBAN Denies
Involvement
The Benue State chapter
of MACBAN has distanced its members from the attack, describing the incident as
tragic and urging the public not to attribute responsibility to Fulani herders
before security agencies conclude their investigation.
Police Arrest Seven
More Suspects Over MACBAN Killing
Meanwhile, the Benue
State Police Command has arrested seven additional suspects, including an
80-year-old man and four traditional rulers, in connection with the killing of
the MACBAN chairman. The latest arrests bring the total number of suspects
in custody to 17.
Those arrested are
Chief Morgan Ejaga, 43; Chief Moses Anteyi, 45; Chief John Ogli, 58; Chief
Yawuhu Adaji, 49; Sylvester Ajonye, 80; Aba Alexander Uloko, 59; and Fidelis
Iduma, 45.
Police spokesperson DSP
Udeme Edet said the arrests were made through sustained intelligence gathering
and coordinated tactical operations. The Commissioner of Police, Cletus
Nwadiogbu, commended the tactical teams and assured residents that
investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons connected
with the crime.
Amnesty International
Calls for Probe
Amnesty International
Nigeria called for an independent, impartial and effective investigation into
the attack, noting that youth protests showed people "have had
enough" and seek an end to raids and abductions that have made "life
a hell" in many parts of Benue. "The government must live up to
its main obligation of protecting lives and property," the group said.
European
Parliamentarians Warn Nigerian Government
Over 501 European parliamentarians voted to support a resolution condemning attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau State, and urging Nigerian authorities to improve security measures and protect vulnerable communities.
The
lawmakers passed the resolution with overwhelming support, with only one
lawmaker voting against it while 86 abstained. They pointed to the June 22
attack on Kawel village in Bokkos Local Government Area, where over 20
Christians, including a pastor, were killed.
Slovak lawmaker Miriam
Lexmann said: "The horrific attacks in Kawel village where innocent
Christians including their pastor were brutally killed is yet another tragic
reminder of escalating violence against Christians in communities in
Nigeria."
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