At least five persons, including a woman, have been killed by marauding herdsmen in Otobi Akpa community of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue state.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident took place at about 1:30 am on Tuesday – today, January 13, 2026.
A distress message sent to newsmen by locals from the area tagged “Black Tuesday In Akweya” said five persons were murdered by Fulani herdsmen militia, including four men and one woman, “among them Hon. Igbabe Ochi, a former Councillor.”
The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, PSP, confirmed he received briefing on the incident.
According to an emergency situation report from the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, (CPG), Benue South Headquarters Otukpo, made available to newsmen, “Suspected Fulani kidnappers believed to be in search of food for their victims attacked a provision shop at Otobi Akpa community around 1.30am..
“Four persons were killed at the shop. They looted the shop and moved into the nearby forest when the locals responded.
“The police and the Civil Protection Guards were immediately deployed to the community to prevent further attack,” the report detailed.
The report identified those killed as Hon Ochi Ugbabe, Achibi Onah, Eje Eba and Sunday Iruja.
The report also disclosed that four persons were kidnapped from the area recently and were yet to be released.
