Armed Herdsmen Attack Ex-Senate President David Mark’s Hometown in Benue, Forcing Mass Exodus of Residents

In a renewed wave of violence in Benue State, armed herdsmen launched a deadly invasion of Otukpo Local Government Area, including Otukpo-Icho, the hometown of former Senate President David Mark. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, has triggered widespread panic and a mass exodus of residents fleeing for safety.

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants arrived in large numbers, heavily armed, and began shooting sporadically, setting houses ablaze and destroying farmlands. Several unconfirmed casualties have been reported, with many locals missing and feared dead. The coordinated assault affected multiple villages within the local government area, sparking chaos and a humanitarian crisis.

Local sources say that security operatives were overwhelmed due to the scale and suddenness of the attack. As of Friday morning, many villagers, including women and children, were seen fleeing to neighboring towns and bushes, carrying only essential belongings. Some survivors recounted narrowly escaping the onslaught and described the scene as “a war zone.”

Community leaders have condemned the attack and called on the federal and state governments to urgently deploy more security personnel to the area. They also appealed for relief materials and temporary shelter for the displaced.

This is not the first time Benue State, a region plagued by herder-farmer conflicts, has witnessed such devastation. However, the targeting of a community so closely linked to a prominent political figure has drawn national attention and renewed calls for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the violence.

As of now, government officials are yet to release a detailed statement, but sources confirm that emergency meetings are underway to assess the situation and determine the next steps in restoring peace and order to the affected communities.