‘We Need Drones and Firepower’ says Benue Civil Protection Guard
By Ekani Olikita and Douglas Burton
(Makurdi) — Grief and fear have once again engulfed Christian communities in Benue State following coordinated attacks by armed Fulani ethnic militia, which left at least nine people dead.
Benue media and the widely read newswire, Zagazola, referred to the attackers as “bandits” or as “gunmen,” pointedly avoiding to identify the ethnicity of the attackers, which is Fulani ethnic militia, according to quoted statements in their stories.
The victims include four security personnel and five civilians in the deadly attacks which happened within a span of 48 hours.
The attacks, which occurred in Otukpo and Kwande counties (Local Government Areas), also left several persons injured and others kidnapped.
Two Security Personnel Killed in Kwande
In Udeku-Maav-Ya community, Kwande County (Local Government), armed Fulani militia on Saturday, January 10, 2026, ambushed troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, killing two security operatives—one officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and another from the Nigerian Air Force attached to the joint task force
A resident, Terna Tajo, told TruthNigeria that the victims were ambushed while returning from Adikpo to their base in Anwase village.
The Citizenship Daily reporter referred to the attackers as “gunmen.” Yet, a local community leader quoted in the news story used the euphemism denoting Fulani ethnic militia: “The community leader who lamented over the continued killing of his people, cried out saying ‘Our people are exposed to danger. Jato Aka town that is housing five council wards have been taken over by the herders. The place is no longer safe. There is fear of the unknown. People are already packing out; some don’t even know where to go.”
The latest killings come only days after similar attacks claimed the lives of 9 Christians from Udeku-Maav-Ya community, Kwande and Saghev community in Guma LGA
Lawmaker Condemns Attacks
The Member representing Otukpo/Akpa State Constituency, Hon. Kenneth Angbo, condemned the renewed violence and called on the Federal Government to take decisive action.
Angbo didn’t use a blind euphemism to conceal the ethnic identity of the murderers.
“There have been a series of attacks in Otukpo LGA (county), leading to the death of seven persons, including the five killed in Otobi-Akpa today. The attackers spoke Fulfulde and chanted ‘Allahu Akbar’ during the attacks. They are entrenched in our forests, and our people are exhausted from repeated complaints,” Angbo told TruthNigeria.
Five Killed in Otobi-Akpa, Otukpo
In the early hours of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at about 1:03 a.m., more than 20 armed Fulani ethnic militia invaded Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo LGA, killing five Christian residents.
The government-friendly Daily Trust account of today’s killing by Fulani ethnic militia referred to the terrorists only as “suspected armed invaders.”
The victims were identified as Ochi John Igbabe (63), Former State Assembly Candidate, Achibi Onah (42), Ejeh Ebba (52), Sunday Benson (46), and Mrs. Enenu Ogbuloko (45)**.
Quoted remarks from a Benue State security official made clear that the criminals were Fulani ethnic militia running a kidnap-for-ransom business in Benue.
According to Daily Trust, “Chief Joseph Har, confirmed to journalists in Makurdi that suspected armed herders who [were] maybe looking for food for their kidnapped victims, attacked a provision shop in Otobi-Akpa community, Otukpo LGA at 1:30 a.m., killing the four persons and looting food items.
Retired Soldier Killed, Family Kidnapped
Earlier, on Sunday, January 11, 2026, Fulani jihadists ambushed and killed Warrant Officer Anyebe Oche (Rtd) of the Nigerian Army in Asa II community, Otukpo, before abducting his wife and infant child. The ever-cautious Premium Times reported that “suspected herders,” were behind the killings.
The attackers reportedly fled into nearby forests after the operation.
Police Officer Killed, Bus Passengers Injured
On Saturday, January 10, 2026, ASP Godwin O. Otse, a police officer attached to the Kano State Police Command, was killed along the Oko-Otobi Road in Otukpo by Fulani kidnappers.
The respected conflict reporter Zagazola Makama used the term preferred by Nigerian military of “suspected bandits,” yet did not explain the label since the gunmen did not steal anything.
Shortly after, the same group attacked a Benue Links bus travelling from Gboko to Enugu, injuring three passengers identified as Solomon Abbas, Stephen Aondoakaa, and Justina Gosolo.
Police Confirm Killings
Speaking in a phone interview with TruthNigeria the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otukpo, Mr. Nankpak Wuyep, confirmed the incidents, saying security operatives had been deployed to the affected areas.
“It is true that seven persons were killed by Fulani Ethnic Militia. Our men are currently combing the bushes around Otobi community,” he told TruthNigeria.
The Zonal Commander of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, Benue South, Pablo Williams Agada, lamented the lack of modern equipment to confront the attackers while speaking with TruthNigeria Tuesday.
“We have identified the terrorists’ camps in the forests, but we lack drones and sufficient firepower. As we speak, five bodies have been recovered in Otobi following Tuesday’s attack,” Agada stated.
‘Otukpo Under Siege’ — Resident
The situation is dire, according to resident of Otukpo, Samuel Agebe.
“For over a week now, we have not slept. Fulani terrorists have surrounded Otukpo, killing and kidnapping at will. Even areas close to military checkpoints are no longer safe,” he told TruthNigeria.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria. Douglas Burton is managing editor of TruthNigeria.
