At least 15 residents have been killed and several others injured after suspected armed herders launched coordinated attacks on communities in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attacks began in the early hours of Tuesday, with the worst-hit community, Efeyi-Ugboju, recording 14 deaths, while another resident was reportedly killed on Monday in nearby Ipom-Ugboju.

Residents said the assailants invaded Efeyi-Ugboju at about 5 a.m. and operated for more than four hours, shooting indiscriminately before fleeing the area.

As of about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, community members were still recovering bodies from homes and surrounding bushes, amid fears that the casualty figure could rise as several residents remained missing. Many survivors who sustained gunshot wounds were evacuated to hospitals for treatment.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, described the incident as a brutal massacre.

“The attackers stormed the community before dawn and continued killing people until after 9 a.m. Fourteen bodies have already been recovered in Efeyi-Ugboju, while another resident was killed in Ipom-Ugboju on Monday. We fear more bodies may still be found because many people remain unaccounted for,” the resident said.

Confirming the attack, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said officials had recovered 14 bodies from Efeyi-Ugboju, while several injured victims were receiving medical attention.

Ogiri condemned the killings, describing them as a deliberate assault on innocent and defenseless residents.

“This was a deliberate attack on defenseless people. There was no confrontation or provocation. The gunmen came with one mission — to kill. So far, we have recovered 14 bodies, while many survivors are receiving treatment for serious injuries. Fear has gripped the area, and residents of neighbouring communities are fleeing to avoid suffering the same fate,” he said.

The council chairman also expressed concern over the continued attacks despite the presence of security personnel in the area, including soldiers, police officers, Mobile Police operatives and Agro-Rangers.

According to him, authorities must strengthen enforcement of the Benue State Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, arguing that the recurring attacks were linked to the failure to fully implement the legislation.

“We already have multiple security formations operating in this axis, yet these attacks continue. Government must strengthen enforcement of the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law because the recurring violence is closely linked to the failure to fully implement that law,” Ogiri added.

The latest killings add to the growing list of deadly attacks that have continued to claim lives in Benue, with many communities repeatedly coming under assault despite ongoing security operations in the state.