The traditional ruler of Otukp Kingdom in Benue State, Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye has ordered all herders to leave Otukpo Kingdom immediately.
This comes following Sunday’s attack on Nobi Village in Otukpo District where several persons were killed.
The directive was issued after an attack allegedly carried out by armed herders on Nobi Village on Sunday, July 12, 2026, amid growing security concerns in the area.
In a statement signed by Chief Udeh Adole, the Secretary of the Otukpo District Traditional Council, the traditional monarch declared that the continuous presence of the herders directly threatens the safety, security, and well-being of the Otukpo Kingdom’s citizens.
He emphasized that the decree serves as a necessary measure to protect lives and restore peace to the kingdom, rather than an act of discrimination or profiling against any specific community.
In the statement, the king expressed deep concern over the frequent attacks linked to armed herders, lamenting that authorities had abandoned his people to the mercy of the attackers.
Chief Eimonye insisted that the people of the Otukpo Abakwu Kingdom remain committed to defending their ancestral lands, vowing that no outside interests will take over the Otukpo District under his watch.
Consequently, the traditional ruler called on relevant security agencies and authorities to intervene immediately, aiming to resolve the ongoing security crisis and protect residents from further violence.
Backstory…
At least ten people lost their lives following a series of attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities within the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Reports obtained indicate that the violence began on Saturday when the armed group struck Akpachi village in the Ugboju community, leaving two individuals dead and several others with various injuries.
Less than twenty-four hours later, during the early hours of Sunday, the attackers struck again. This time, they invaded the Otukpo Nobi neighborhood, killing eight more people and leaving numerous others wounded.
