Angry Benue Youths Block Federal Highway After 18 Christians Killed in 36 Hours

37 Christians Murdered by Fulani Ethnic Militia From July 1; Residents Say Security Forces Ignored Repeated Warnings before Attacks 

By Ekani Olikita

(MAKURD) Hundreds of Christian demonstrators on Sunday blocked the Otukpo–Enugu Federal Highway after 18 Christians were killed in coordinated attacks 

The protest followed two coordinated attacks carried out over a 36-hour period in Benue State, Central Nigeria, where residents said the victims were Christians 

Protesters carried several victims’ bodies to the palace of the Idoma traditional ruler, the Och’Idoma, in a dramatic demonstration of grief and anger. They accused Nigerian security agencies of failing to respond despite repeated warnings before and during the attacks 

The violence came days after American missionary Judd Saul, Executive Director and Founder of Equipping The Persecuted (ETP), publicly warned of imminent attacks on communities across Benue State, including Otukpo. Residents say the warning was relayed to security authorities before the assaults occurred 

Attacks Seemingly Related

Residents said about 150 armed Fulani attackers stormed Otukpo-Nobi community before dawn on Sunday, killing 16 Christians and injuring about 20 others. Local witnesses said many victims were preparing for church services when the attackers struck 

The attack came less than 36 hours after two Christian farmers, identified as Gabriel Igwu and Inalegwu Adakole, were killed while working on a cassava farm in Akpachi village in Ugboju Precinct, Otukpo County (Local Government Area), 5 miles Southeast of Otukpo-Nobi on Friday, July 10, 2026, bringing the death toll to 18.

The latest killings follow the June 26 killing of two leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Mohammed Risku and Yakubu Isah, in nearby Okudu after attending a peace meeting. The killings heightened fears of retaliatory violence across Benue.

“We Alerted Security Agencies”

Samuel Agebe, who survived the Otukpo-Nobi attack, said the Fulani attackers overwhelmed the community before sunrise.

“The attackers invaded our community before dawn while many people were preparing for Sunday church. Sixteen people were killed and many others were seriously injured,” he told TruthNigeria.

Another resident, Anebi Alechenu, said community members had repeatedly alerted security agencies after hearing intelligence about possible attacks from founder of Equipping The Persecuted, Judd Saul. 

“We informed the military and other security agencies before the attack. When the attack started, we called again, but nobody came,” he said.

Officials Condemn Killings

Michael Audu, who represents Adoka/Ugboju State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, confirmed the killing of the two farmers in Akpachi and urged security forces to pursue the attackers.

“Yes, Gabriel and Inalegwu were killed while harvesting cassava in their farm in Akpachi village on Friday. The killers are still around us in the bush. Security should go after them”, Audu told TruthNigeria 

Otukpo County Chairman Maxwell Ogiri described the attacks as “barbaric” and called for stronger security measures to protect rural communities.

“The barbaric and inhuman attacks on Akpachi and Otukpo-Nobi were carried out by Fulani terrorists. Enough is Enough, we are ready to defend ourselves”, Maxwell told TruthNigeria in a phone interview 

Traditional Ruler Orders Herders to Leave

Following the attacks, the Och’Otukpo(Otukpo Traditional Monarch), Chief John Eimonye, directed Fulani residents to leave Otukpo Kingdom, describing the measure as necessary to prevent further violence 

The directive followed mounting anger across the area after successive attacks on farming communities.

Security Analyst Warns of Escalating Risk

Security analyst and Benue South Zonal Commander of Civil Protection Guards, Pablo Agada said the attacks underscore persistent weaknesses in Nigeria’s early-warning and emergency-response systems.

“Whether the perpetrators are identified as armed Fulani Terrorists or Ethnic Militia, the critical issue is the state’s inability to act on credible intelligence and rapidly protect vulnerable communities. When repeated warnings are followed by mass casualties, public confidence in security institutions inevitably declines,” Agada told TruthNigeria.

He warned that continued attacks could fuel reprisals, deepen ethno-religious tensions and further destabilize Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

The renewed violence has implications beyond Nigeria. Benue State has experienced repeated attacks that have displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, disrupted food production, and intensified concerns over religious freedom and regional stability.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has identified violence by armed Fulani militants as a significant contributor to religious freedom violations in Nigeria.

Several members of the U.S. Congress and civil society organizations have also urged Washington to increase scrutiny of armed groups operating in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and strengthen support for civilian protection, accountability and conflict prevention. Continued instability in Africa’s most populous nation could worsen humanitarian needs, encourage extremist recruitment, and undermine regional security interests important to the United States.

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