Fifteen victims of the July 28, 2026 attack on Efeyi-Utikpi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have been buried in a mass grave.
The victims, including women and children, were killed when suspected armed herders invaded the farming community in Ugboju District.
Their remains were laid to rest on Saturday amid tears and grief as residents, relatives and community members gathered to mourn the deceased.
The attack reportedly left several residents traumatised and homes destroyed, further worsening fears over the safety of rural communities in the state.
The mass burial came less than three weeks after eight people killed in another attack on Otukpo-Nobi were buried.
The July 12, 2026 attack claimed the lives of five adults and three children, according to the police.
The repeated attacks have heightened concerns over the security of farming communities in Benue, with residents calling for urgent government action to protect lives and property.
A representative of Equipping the Persecuted, a United States-based non-governmental organisation, reportedly announced financial assistance for families of the victims and local vigilante groups.
The latest burial has further highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on communities in Benue, where residents continue to face the threat of attacks while trying to go about their daily activities.
Community leaders have continued to appeal to the Federal and Benue State governments to strengthen security operations and prevent further killings.
For the bereaved families, Saturday’s mass burial marked a painful farewell to 15 loved ones whose lives were cut short in the deadly attack.
