No fewer than 16 persons have been killed in renewed attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on communities in Benue State, with several others injured in separate assaults on Otukpo and Kwande Local Government Areas.

The deadliest attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when gunmen reportedly invaded the Efeyi community in the Ugboju District of Otukpo LGA at about 4 a.m., killing at least 14 residents and leaving several others with gunshot wounds.

Local sources said the death toll could rise as some residents remained missing while search and rescue efforts continued.

A resident described the attack as devastating, lamenting the delayed response of security agencies.

"The current situation in Efeyi Ugboju is pathetic. The attack started around 4 a.m., and three hours later there was no response from the security agencies.

"The army and police stationed at Ugboju Ogobia had not reached the community to protect innocent citizens. We are helpless and vulnerable, but we still look unto God," the source said.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said 14 bodies had been recovered, while several injured victims were receiving treatment.

"Fourteen dead bodies have been recovered, and many others are wounded. There was no provocation; it was simply to shed blood and kill innocent people," Ogiri said.

He noted that fear had gripped the area, with residents of neighbouring communities fleeing for safety.

Ogiri also expressed concern over the continued attacks despite the presence of military, police, mobile police and agro-rangers in the area, urging the government to strengthen enforcement of the state's anti-open grazing law.

"The eviction notice given to illegal occupants cannot achieve anything without proper enforcement, and our people will continue to lament if nothing is done," he added.

The council chairman said he was at the teaching hospital awaiting the arrival of injured victims who had initially received first aid at a local hospital.

He identified the attackers as suspected militia herdsmen, stating that the assaults were unprovoked and part of a series of sporadic attacks on communities in recent days.

Earlier on Monday, another resident was reportedly killed while working on his farm in the Ipom community, also in the Ugboju District of Otukpo LGA.

On the same day, suspected armed herdsmen also attacked the Abaji community in Moon Council Ward of Kwande LGA, opening fire on farmers working on a Bambara nut farm.

A woman who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack later died, while the assailants reportedly fled with two motorcycles belonging to farmers who escaped the scene.

One of the survivors recounted the incident, saying the attackers suddenly emerged and opened fire, forcing farmers to abandon their tools and flee for safety.

"We were on our Bambara nut farm on Monday morning when we noticed strange movements. Suddenly they started shooting, and we all ran for our lives. They shot a woman and took away two motorcycles belonging to our neighbours. Everyone is living in fear," the survivor said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement.