Reporting by Punch Newspapers indicates that the Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has vehemently denied any involvement in the killing of 16 residents in Otukpo Nobi. MACBAN’s State Secretary, Ibrahim Galma, issued a statement condemning the violent attack and urging the public to avoid pinning blame on Fulani herders.
Galma explained that all Fulani residents had been evicted from the Otukpo vicinity since last year, making their involvement highly unlikely. He suggested that local communities in the area have deep-seated, unresolved land and communal clashes that security agencies must investigate thoroughly instead of settling for easy narratives.
In validating the incident, Daily Post reported that “local youths and women marched with the bodies of the victims to the palace of the traditional ruler in protest”. Tribune Online also highlighted the security tension, writing that “Governor Hyacinth Alia has ordered security forces to track down the perpetrators of the Otukpo killings without delay.”
Echotitbits take: The immediate escalation of blame following rural attacks highlights how delicate the herder-farmer relationship remains in the Middle Belt. A rigorous, transparent forensic investigation by the police is needed to identify the attackers and prevent reprisal actions.
Source: Punch Newspaper – https://punchng.com/macban-denies-role-in-killing-of-16-benue-villagers/s, July 14, 2026
Photo credit: The Guardian
