![\"Ochi](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3941sw_300w_1h_1x_1y.jpeg\")
Ochi Igbade, one of four Christians killed in attack on Otobi Akpa village, Benue state, Nigeria on Jan. 12, 2026.\u00a0Facebook<\/p>\n Ochi Igbade, one of four Christians killed in attack on Otobi Akpa village, Benue state, Nigeria on Jan. 12, 2026.\u00a0Facebook<\/p>\n
Fulani herdsmen in Benue state, Nigeria killed four Christians on Monday (Jan. 12) and nine others on Jan. 5-6, sources said.<\/p>\n
In Otobi Akpa village, Otukpo County, Fulani herdsmen arrived at midnight on Monday and shot four Christians who had been asleep in their homes, said resident Franca Akipu, who said dozens of others remain missing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe attack was carried out by Fulani herdsmen,\u201d she told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. \u201cThey shot at people who were sleeping. The gunshots were so loud that my mum was in panic throughout the night. Please keep my community in your prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Akipu identified the slain Christians as Ochi Igbade, Eje Uzu, Alinko and Achibi.<\/p>\n
Previously Fulanis had attacked the village on April 15, killing 13 Christians and burning down 50 houses, she said. Community leader Adikwu Ogbe said they were attacked at about 6 p.m. on that day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe armed herdsmen invaded our community, shooting sporadically at anyone they sighted,\u201d Ogbe told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. \u201cAnd when they retreated, 13 of our Christian members had been killed, while 50 houses were destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n
In two other counties in Benue state, herdsmen killed five Christian on Jan. 6 and four others on Jan. 5, residents said.<\/p>\n
In Kwande County, Fulani herdsmen on Jan. 6 killed five Christians as they were working on their farms in Udeku Maav-Ya village at about 4 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident is not the first in this area, as these Fulani herdsmen have been persistent in attacking our communities,\u201d said Tersua Yarkwan, chairman of the Kwande Local Government Council.<\/p>\n
Council member Akerigba Lawrence also noted that residents of the area\u2019s predominantly Christian villages \u201chave constantly faced sustained attacks and destruction of their homes and farms.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Ikyaghev village, Guma County, herdsmen on Jan. 5 killed four Christians, said Maurice Orwough, Guma Council Chairman.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe farmers were working on their farms when the herdsmen attacked them around 10 a.m.,\u201d Orwough told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. \u201cThe four Christians are members of the same family.\u201d<\/p>\n
James Melvin Ejeh, Agatu Council chairman, said there have been \u201cdeliberate and systematic attacks against Christians in some our communities by herdsmen which have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Ukum County, armed herdsmen also on Thursday (Jan. 8) attacked farmers in predominantly Christian Adogo village, destroying crops, said resident Thomas Ikyase. Communiy leader Aule Gba added, \u201cFarmers in my community were attacked by Fulani terrorists. They forced our people to flee from their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Herdsmen attacks also took place in December. In Okpokwu County, Fulani herdsmen on Dec. 30 attacked a funeral in Owewe village, said resident Isaac Audu. Sunday Oche, chairman of the Ado Local Government Council, noted that herdsmen also attacked the predominately Christian villages of Ijigban, Ulayi and Utonkon on Dec. 9.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe herdsmen\u2019s pattern of violence includes, attacking mourners, ambushing farmers, and inflicting machete cut wounds on Christian victims,\u201d Oche said.<\/p>\n
In an attack on predominantly Christian Mbamondo Ukembergya village in Logo County on Dec. 7, herdsmen killed four Christians, said resident Simon Chia.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cFulani herdsmen are killing innocent Christians almost daily,\u201d Chia said. \u201cThis is the situation we are facing in Logo Local Government Area of Benue state.\u201d<\/p>\n