Residents of Efeyi-Utikpi community in Otukpo LGA, Benue State Nigeria’s Middle Belt, have conducted a mass burial for atleast 15 Christians people killed in a suspected armed herders’ Fulani attack.
The victims were killed on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when suspected armed Fulani herders reportedly attacked the agrarian community in Ugboju District, Otukpo.
The early-morning attack left 15 people dead, several others injured and homes destroyed.
The mass burial held on Saturday 8th August 2026 drew grieving relatives, community leaders, clergy members and other residents, with dozens of white caskets lined up as a Catholic bishop officiated the funeral rites.
Burial notices released by the community indicated that the victims included men, women and children from different generations.
The victims include Okpe Philip, Joy Samuel, Success Onche, Apeh Samuel, Emmanuel Agwu, Ikpe John, Ameh Fredrick Owoicho, Onche Abechi, Sunday Alechenu, Isaac Ejembi, Emmanuel Ejiga, Edache Abechi, Abogonye Ameh, Chinedu Ameh, Michael Abalike and Emmanuel Adidu.
Community leaders expressed anger over the recurring attacks on rural communities in Benue, saying residents continue to face insecurity despite repeated assurances of protection from government authorities.
Relatives wept beside the caskets as religious leaders prayed for the victims and appealed to federal and state authorities to strengthen security measures and bring perpetrators to justice.
The latest burial came weeks after another mass funeral in Otukpo-Nobi community, where eight people killed in a suspected armed Fulani herders’ attack were buried on July 12.
The victims were reportedly killed when attackers invaded Otukpo-Nobi in the early hours of Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Reacting to that attack, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia described the incident as deadly and called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.
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