A protest erupted at the palace of the Och’Idoma in Otukpo on Sunday, 12 July 2026, after angry youths from affected communities, such as Otukpo Nobi and Otukpo Icho, arrived carrying the bodies of victims reportedly killed in recent attacks by suspected armed herdsmen. They have gathered on the road burning tyres and insisting that authorities take appropriate action.
According to Idoma Voice, the protesters disrupted an ongoing church service at the palace as they demanded urgent intervention over the worsening security situation across Benue South.
Witnesses said the demonstrators marched with the bodies of some victims allegedly killed during the latest assault on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area. They expressed frustration over what they described as the continued failure to protect lives and property, insisting that the repeated attacks must come to an end. Rumours of planned attacks after an unexplained killing of the Benue State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, have been rife for over two weeks, and protesters wondered why the government never averts such known threats.
The protest attracted large crowds around the palace, with residents and worshippers watching as the demonstrators called for an audience with the Och’Idoma to express their concerns over the renewed violence.
Idoma Voice reports that the protest followed fresh attacks over the weekend. On Saturday, suspected armed herdsmen reportedly attacked Akpachi village in the Ugboju community, killing two people and leaving several others injured.
The newspaper further reported that another attack occurred early Sunday in the Otukpo Nobi community, where at least eight people were reportedly killed while several others sustained injuries. AkweyaTV sighted several videos and pictures from eye witnesses by their authenticity could not be verified as at press time.
The renewed violence has heightened concerns over the security situation in Benue South. As of the time of this report, security agencies had not released any official statement regarding either the protest or the latest attacks.
Source: Idoma Voice.
