Governor Hyacinth Alia has expressed grief over the attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju district of Otukpo Local Government Area by suspected armed herdsmen in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the Governor said the bandits must pay for their crime against the peaceful people of the state. He, however, appreciated the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police under CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu for their quick response, which resulted in the neutralisation of two armed bandits suspected to have taken part in the incident.
According to the statement, scores of persons were murdered and many others sustained various degrees of injury in the attack. Following reports of the incident, men of the Benue State Police Command were deployed to trace the armed bandits. A fire exchange occurred as the police closed in, and two of the bandits who were apparently positioned to provide cover for the others to escape were neutralised.
Governor Alia stated that his administration will continue to support the security agencies to ensure those who attack the state are spoken to in the language they understand. “Benue land is for Benue people. Those who think they can come and push the people away and takeover should think twice,” he said.
He added: “Our people are peaceful, hardworking and peaceful. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured.”
