BREAKING: Och’Otukpo orders herders to leave Otukpo Kingdom after deadly attack
Chief Orders Herders to Leave Otukpo Kingdom Amid Security Concerns
OTUKPO, Nigeria — Chief John Eimonye, the traditional ruler of the Otukpo Kingdom, has ordered all herders to vacate the area immediately following a deadly attack on Nobi Village on Sunday.
The incident, which occurred on July 12, 2026, resulted in multiple fatalities and has raised significant alarm over the security situation in the district.
In a statement issued by Chief Udeh Adole, Secretary of the Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Eimonye emphasized that the presence of herders poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of the local population. He stressed that the directive should not be seen as a discriminatory action but rather as a necessary step to protect lives and restore peace in the kingdom.
The chief expressed deep concern over the recurring violence linked to armed herders, highlighting a sense of neglect felt by residents who, he said, have been left vulnerable to such attacks.
“We will not allow Otukpo District to be overrun by any outside interests,” Eimonye stated, reaffirming his commitment to defending the ancestral land of the Otukpo Abakwu Kingdom.
He also urged relevant security agencies to take immediate action to enhance safety and security for the residents of the district.
