Residents of Efeyi-Utikpi Ugboju community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have held a mass burial for 16 people killed in an attack blamed on suspected armed herders.
The victims were reportedly killed on Tuesday, July 28, when gunmen invaded the agrarian community in the Ugboju District during the early hours of the morning.
The attack left at least 15 people dead, according to earlier reports, while several others sustained injuries and houses were reportedly destroyed. Community burial records, however, listed 16 deceased victims.
The funeral drew relatives of the victims, community members, traditional and religious leaders, as well as other residents who gathered to pay their final respects.
Several white coffins containing the remains of the victims were placed side by side at the burial venue, where a Catholic bishop led prayers and the final funeral rites.
A burial notice issued by the community showed that those killed included men, women and children from different age groups, highlighting the impact of the attack on several families.
The deceased were identified as Okpe Philip, Joy Samuel, Success Onche, Apeh Samuel, Emmanuel Agwu, Ikpe John, Ameh Fredrick Owoicho, Onche Abechi, Sunday Alechenu, Isaac Ejembi, Emmanuel Ejiga, Edache Abechi, Abogonye Ameh, Chinedu Ameh, Michael Abalike and Emmanuel Adidu.
The mass burial renewed concerns among residents over the security situation in rural parts of Benue, with community leaders accusing authorities of failing to adequately protect farming communities from repeated attacks.
They appealed to the federal and state governments to strengthen security operations in vulnerable areas and take concrete steps to prevent further killings.
At the funeral, grieving relatives were seen mourning beside the coffins as clergy members prayed for the victims and called for an end to violence in the state.
The latest incident comes shortly after another mass burial was held in Otukpo-Nobi community, also in Otukpo Local Government Area.
On July 12, eight residents of the community were buried after they were killed in an attack reportedly carried out by suspected armed herders.
The funeral was attended by relatives, community leaders, traditional rulers and religious figures, who gathered to honour the victims.
A resident, Attah Rueben, who attended the ceremony, described the burial as one of the darkest moments for the community.
“The funeral was brief. The atmosphere was charged. Tears were flowing. It was the saddest day for the people of Otukpo-Nobi community. May their souls rest in peace. Amen,” he said.
A Catholic priest led prayers before the eight victims, whose remains were placed in white coffins, were buried in graves prepared beside one another.
The victims were killed after suspected armed herders reportedly attacked Otukpo-Nobi in the early hours of Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Reacting to the incident at the time, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, described the attack as deadly and urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
