The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of eight people following an attack by armed assailants on Otukpo-Nobi Community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State at the weekend.

DSP Udeme Edet, the command’s spokesman, said in a statement that the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday and left five other people injured. The police casualty figure contradicted claims by survivors, with some residents saying 10 people were killed, while others alleged that 16 people were murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.

“The Benue State Police Command condemns in practical terms the cruel and tragic attack that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 12th July, 2026, at Otukpo-Nobi Community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

“At about 6:00 a.m., the Command received a distress call which reported that armed assailants invaded the community shortly after the successful conclusion of the wake and burial rites of the late Mr. Adaje Okoh, an octogenarian. The attackers reportedly opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the death of eight persons, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Some thatched houses and a motorcycle were also set ablaze during the attack.

“The Benue State Police Command extends its heartfelt and sincere condolences to the bereaved families and the Benue State in general while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the statement said.

It added that the injured victims were evacuated to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment, while the bodies were deposited at the mortuary of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo.

Edet stated that the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, led police tactical teams and other operatives to the community to restore normalcy, prevent further attacks and commence investigations into the incident.

Nwadiogbu, who condemned the attack, ordered the deployment of additional tactical and operational assets to Otukpo-Nobi and other vulnerable communities to prevent further breakdown of law and order while ensuring a return to normalcy in the affected area.

Security had been reinforced around the area following protests by aggrieved youths after the attack.

The command appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands and support security agencies with credible information that could assist ongoing investigations.

Troops of Sector 7 of the Nigerian Army have intercepted suspected arms traffickers and recovered seven illegal firearms allegedly meant to be supplied to bandits.

This was made known in a post by a security expert, Zagazola Makama, on Monday.

Zagazola said the arrest happened during a targeted stop-and-search operation at Samaru checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to him, the operation was carried out at about 9:40 a.m. on Monday following credible intelligence regarding the movement of illegal weapons from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State.

The security expert disclosed that troops had received information that suspected arms racketeers were transporting the weapons in an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

He added that while acting on the intelligence, security personnel identified, tracked and intercepted the vehicle at the Samaru checkpoint in Zangon Kataf.

Two inmates, described by security sources as politically exposed suspects, who were detained at the Security Custodial Centre in Jimeta, Yola, have allegedly escaped.

Security agencies have reportedly launched a manhunt for the fugitives, who sources said were brought to the Jimeta Custodial Centre about three weeks ago following a security crackdown on suspected political thugs in the Mubi axis.

The crackdown, DAILY POST recalls, was initiated by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who, while addressing identified criminal networks allegedly linked to political violence and other violent crimes in the area during a visit there, called for the dismantling of the groups.

Fintiri, who had vowed at the time that his administration would not spare those responsible for violence and insecurity, is said to be furious over the suspects’ escape.

Sources said that, largely at his prompting, operatives of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had commenced efforts to track down the suspects.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has been unwilling to provide answers to questions surrounding the disappearance of the two suspects from its custody.

Reporters who visited the state headquarters of the service in Jimeta, Yola, have repeatedly been unable to speak with the management since reports of the development emerged last Thursday.

On that day, the state Comptroller, Abduljalil Odunlami Ajani, was said to be away on an official inspection tour.

The following day, Friday, reporters met with the Deputy Public Relations Officer, who said he lacked the authority to comment on the matter.

On Monday morning, during another visit to the state headquarters, reporters were informed that the comptroller was not in the office and that the PRO was unwell.