Tension has been building up in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State following a disturbing wave of coordinated attacks that claimed the life of a Fulani herder and led to the killing of more than 20 cows across several communities, in a dangerous escalation of violence and a troubling sign of institutional failure.

Zagazola gathered that the incident, which occurred between Dec. 4 and 5, resonates across Ondo, Ogobia, Ugboju and Otukpo Nobi areas already struggling with periodic communal hostilities. What is raising even more concern is an allegation of compromised handling of a key suspect by a the security agency, a move that has angered community members and reverberated fears of further reprisals.

The crisis deepened on Friday, Dec. 5, when armed men from the Ondo community in Ogobia reportedly laid an ambush for a Fulani herder, Hassan Sule, popularly known as Alhaji Foder. Reliable local sources said the victim was riding a motorcycle with one of his labourers to check on his cattle when the attackers opened fire.

The labourer escaped with injuries, but Foder was shot dead instantly.

In the moments that followed, panic spread among Fulani families in the area, prompting them to alert troops of the Nigerian Army stationed at the Ogobia military post. The soldiers immediately mobilised and accompanied the herders to recover the body.

But, according to eyewitnesses, the attackers struck again. As the joint team advanced, gunmen allegedly launched a second ambush, believing only Fulani herders were approaching.

“The soldiers returned fire instantly and overpowered them,” a source familiar with the operation said. “One of the attackers was arrested alive and disarmed.” The arrest was expected to be a breakthrough In identifying the masterminds of the attacks — until events took an alarming turn.

The arrested suspect was handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogoli/Ogboju for interrogation. But in a move that has stunned both the Fulani community. It was reported that the DPO allegedly released the suspect less than an hour after receiving him.

The Fulani Leaders alleged that when community representatives questioned the rationale for the sudden release, the DPO dismissed their concerns, saying the military had “no right” to arrest and hand suspects to him, insisting he “knew how to do his work.”

The decision, described as reckless and provocative, further fuelled anger in the already charged environment.

The killing of the herder came barely 24 hours after a separate attack on Dec. 4, when armed youths from Otukpo Nobi allegedly invaded grazing locations and killed more than 20 cows belonging to Fulani herders. Several animals were also reportedly injured.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State Chapter, confirmed the series of attacks, describing them as coordinated, unprovoked and aimed at instigating a wider crisis.

In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the association said: “These persistent and unprovoked attacks constitute a serious threat to peace, security and inter-community harmony.

“Our member, Hassan Sule, was killed in cold blood, and over 20 cows were slaughtered. Worse still, the suspect arrested by the Army was released without investigation.”

MACBAN demanded the immediate re-arrest of the released suspect, a full-scale investigation into the killing and destruction of livestock, and deployment of security personnel to prevent further attacks.

The association expressed anger over what it called “a dangerous failure of policing,” insisting that such actions embolden attackers and undermine fragile peace efforts.

Zagazola warned that failure to swiftly address the situation and hold perpetrators accountable could provoke retaliatory attacks and further destabilise the area as the atmosphere remains tense, with both communities accusing each other of provocation.

Reacting, a Police Sources who spoke to Zagazola and preferred to be anonymous said the report he saw was that “On 05/12/2025 at about 0830hrs, one Alh. Usman Amodu ‘m’, Fulani, of Onyilaba Ukpobi in Ohimini LGA, reported to the DPO Ogoli that on the same date, one Alh. Forda ‘m’ (surname yet unknown), Fulani, was attacked and killed in the bush by unknown armed gunmen numbering about eight.

He said that the ’PO Ogoli mobilised a patrol team with detectives to the scene. The corpse was photographed, removed and deposited at the mortuary.

He added that the nearby bushes were thoroughly combed and efforts were ongoing to identify and track the suspects for arrest.

The sources however said he was not aware of any arrest of suspect made and their release by the DPO as alleged by the leaders of the Fulani. (Zagazola)

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