The traditional ruler of Otukpo Kingdom in Benue State, the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, has ordered all herders living or operating within the kingdom to leave the area immediately following a deadly attack that claimed several lives.
The directive came after gunmen suspected to be armed herders attacked Nobi Village in Otukpo District on Sunday, leaving residents in shock and further worsening fears over insecurity in the community.
In a statement released by the Otukpo District Traditional Council and signed by its Secretary, Chief Udeh Adole, the monarch said the decision was taken in response to the growing security challenges facing the kingdom and the need to protect residents from further attacks.
Chief Eimonye said the safety of the people remained his top priority. He noted that recent incidents had created fear across communities and raised serious concerns about the continued presence of herders in the area.
According to the statement, the traditional ruler stressed that the directive was not aimed at any ethnic group or community.
He explained that the action was purely a security measure designed to preserve lives, maintain peace and prevent further bloodshed.
The monarch expressed sadness over the recurring attacks that have affected parts of Otukpo and surrounding communities. He lamented that many families had continued to suffer losses while residents lived under constant fear of fresh assaults.
Chief Eimonye also voiced frustration over what he described as the prolonged hardship faced by his people. He said communities in the kingdom had endured repeated security threats and deserved urgent protection from the authorities.
He declared that the people of Otukpo would not allow their ancestral land to be overrun by criminal elements. The monarch maintained that protecting the lives and property of residents remained a responsibility that could not be ignored.
The traditional ruler further called on security agencies to intensify operations across vulnerable communities and ensure that those behind the latest attack are identified and brought to justice.
He urged the federal and state governments to take decisive action to end the cycle of violence and restore confidence among residents who have been forced to live under persistent security threats.
The attack on Nobi Village is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have heightened tension in parts of Benue State, where communities have repeatedly raised concerns over killings, displacement and destruction of property linked to armed attacks.
