Tension gripped Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday as angry youths marched to the palace of the paramount ruler of the Idoma nation, Och’Idoma His Royal Majesty Agabaidu Elaigwu John Odogbo, carrying the bodies of victims killed in recent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen.
The protest followed fresh attacks on two communities in Otukpo, where more than 10 people were reportedly killed in separate incidents.
The demonstrators took the victims’ remains to the royal palace in a dramatic show of grief and frustration, demanding urgent intervention from the Benue State Government, the Federal Government and security agencies to end the recurring violence in Benue South.
The protesters lamented the continued loss of lives, accusing political leaders of failing to protect residents from repeated attacks.
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“How long will this continue? Will a man be forced to flee from his own ancestral land? We have lost hope in our politicians,” some of the demonstrators were heard saying during the protest.
The latest killings have further heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Benue State, where communities have repeatedly come under attack by suspected armed herdsmen despite ongoing security operations.
Residents are now calling on the authorities to take decisive steps to restore peace, protect lives and prevent further bloodshed in the affected communities.