Tears, anger in Benue as 16 Otukpo attack victims buried

Tears and anguish enveloped Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, Benue State, on Saturday as residents conducted a mass burial for 16 persons allegedly killed by suspected armed herdsmen.

The victims were reportedly killed when the attackers invaded the community in the early hours of July 28, throwing residents into panic and forcing many to flee for safety.

According to residents, the assailants stormed Efeyi between 4am and 5am and opened fire on the community, killing 16 persons in what residents described as a brutal and unprovoked attack.

The incident has heightened concerns over the security situation in the area, coming barely months after another deadly attack that claimed several lives in communities within the same district.

At the mass burial, family members, community leaders, traditional rulers, political leaders and religious figures gathered to pay their final respects to the victims.

The solemn ceremony was marked by grief as mourners struggled to hold back tears while the remains of the deceased were brought to the burial ground.

A resident, Aboyi Owi, who attended the funeral, described the ceremony as one of the saddest moments in the history of the community.

He said, “The funeral was so touching. The atmosphere is full of sorrow, tears and anger because this was an avoidable death if those responsible for ensuring the security of lives and property were alive to their responsibilities.

“We do not know when our government will take genuine action to end the activities of armed herdsmen in this country. For as long as we allow armed herders to keep tormenting Nigerians, there will be no end to the mass killing of Nigerians by the criminal gangs. This is just the saddest day for the people of Efeyi community,” he added.

Prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased as mourners observed moments of silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attack.

A Catholic priest led prayers at the ceremony before the coffins of the victims were lowered into the graves, amid wailing from bereaved relatives and sympathisers.