Residents Accuse Authorities of Failing to Stop Escalating Attacks on Christians
By Ekani Olikita and Mike Odeh James
MAKURDI, Nigeria – At least 22 Christians were killed in renewed and separate attacks across three counties in Nigeria’s Central Benue State between July 24 and July 29.
Residents, local officials, and community leaders said the renewed violence has heightened concerns over security and religious freedom not only in Benue but in the country’s volatile Middle Belt as a whole.
The attacks occurred in Otukpo, Kwande and Ohimini counties and are the latest in a series of deadly assaults attributed by residents to armed Fulani Ethnic Militias (FEM).
Data compiled by TruthNigeria shows that at least 61 Christians have been killed in Benue State since July 1, 2026
Residents and local officials also accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to prevent repeated attacks despite the presence of military and police units in affected areas.
Deadliest Attack in Otukpo
The worst incident happened early Tuesday July 28, in Efeyi-Utikpi community, Ugboju district of Otukpo County, where heavily armed Fulani terrorists stormed the village around 5 a.m., according to Daily Trust. Daily Trust referred to the attackers as “armed invaders,” in compliance with unofficial mainstream media protocol, although all locals recognized them as members of Fulani ethnicity.
Residents said the terrorists arrived on motorcycles, opened fire and attacked people in their homes. Fourteen bodies had been recovered by Tuesday afternoon, while several residents remained missing.
“We were woken up by gunfire by about 50 well armed Fulani Jihadists on more than 25 motorcycles, followed by chanting of ‘Allahu Akbar’ and people began running in every direction. We have found 14 dead bodies so far. Many families are still searching for relatives and about 30 injured persons are receiving medical treatment at Federal University of Sciences Teaching Hospital Otukpo”, Oche Adah, a resident of Efeyi-Utikpi told TruthNigeria.
The same group of Fulani terrorists also killed three persons on Wednesday, July 29 in Emichi and Nwaba Oju in Ugboju Precinct of Otukpo County while retreating after the Efeyi-Utikpi attack on Tuesday.
The assaults followed a previous killing on Monday in nearby Ipom village.
The latest violence also comes just over two weeks after 16 Christians were killed in the Otukpo-Nobi area, underscoring the deteriorating security situation in the county.
Michael Audu, a Member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Adoka/Ugboju, condemned the killings and urged the federal government to act.
“These attacks have become recurring tragedies for our communities. People are exhausted from burying loved ones and living in fear”, Audu told TruthNigeria.
Otukpo County Chairman Maxwell Ogiri criticized security agencies for failing to stop the violence despite the deployment of military personnel, police officers and other security units in the area.
He said more than 30 injured residents were receiving treatment following Tuesday’s attack and warned that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue.
“We Military, Police, Mobile Police, Agro-Rangers personnel on ground in Otukpo and always have prior knowledge of attack by Fulani terrorists continue to kill our people unabated”, Ogiri told TruthNigeria.
Christian Farmer Killed in Kwande
In Kwande County, located 100 miles Northeast of Otukpo, residents said a Christian farmer, identified as Mrs. Terhemba, was shot and killed Monday while working on her farm in Abaji community.
“I and the late Mrs Terhemba were working in her Bambara nut farm when she was shot by a group of about five Fulani Militia. I narrowly escaped death”, an eyewitness, Igba Terna told TruthNigeria.
Three Christians Killed in Ohimini
Three Christians were also killed in attacks on Agadagba and Ochobo communities in Ohimini County between Friday and Saturday.
Residents said armed Fulani terrorists first ambushed travelers along the Elulu-Ochobo road, killing one person and injuring another before stealing a motorcycle.
Community members said the attackers later advanced toward Agadagba but retreated after encountering resistance from local volunteers.
According to residents, the Militia returned the following day in larger numbers, firing indiscriminately as villagers fled into surrounding bushland. Two local defenders were killed, several others were injured and dozens of residents remain missing.
“We repelled them on Friday, but they returned in much larger numbers on Saturday. Many families are still searching for missing relatives”, Pius Ameh, a native of Agadagba and former aide to Ohimini County Chairman told TruthNigeria.
Another resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said roughly 30 people remained unaccounted for after the attack.
Security Concerns Grow
Dr. Damian Attah, a Security Analyst at Benue State University, said the repeated attacks suggest an organized pattern of violence rather than isolated incidents.
“Without sustained intelligence operations, rapid-response deployments and accountability for perpetrators, affected communities will remain vulnerable and the violence could continue to spread across Nigeria’s Middle Belt,” Attah told TruthNigeria.
Security analysts have told TruthNigeria on background that the multiple attacks on Christian farming communities in May, June and July in Benue State have been timed to thwart the current President’s reelection in January. These sources say attacks across Plateau, Taraba and Kaduna are synchronized by opponents of the Administration of Bola Tinubu to demonstrate that the nation under his leadership is ungovernable.
Why It Matters to the United States
Nigeria remains a key U.S. security and diplomatic partner in West Africa. Continued instability in the Middle Belt could worsen humanitarian needs, undermine regional stability and complicate American efforts to counter violent extremism and support democratic governance.
The U.S. The Commission on International Religious Freedom has repeatedly identified violence by armed Fulani militias as a major driver of religious freedom abuses, civilian casualties and displacement in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, rights groups say the conflict has become one of the country’s deadliest security crises.
Ekani Olikita and Mike Odeh James are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
