At least eight people have been killed and five others injured following a deadly attack by gunmen on Otukpo-Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the Benue State Police Command, the attack occurred on Sunday night during a funeral ceremony.

Police spokesperson Udeme Edet confirmed that eight people lost their lives, while five others sustained injuries and were taken for medical treatment.

However, residents gave a different account, alleging that suspected armed herders invaded the community around 6:00 a.m., opening fire on residents. Community members also claimed that about 40 people were still unaccounted for as search efforts continued.

The latest violence has sparked fears that it may have been a reprisal attack following the killing of Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), who was shot dead by gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area in June.

Reacting to the incident, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric and inhuman assault on innocent lives.

He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that security agencies had been directed to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.

Security personnel have since been deployed to the affected community to restore calm, while investigations into the attack continue.

Authorities have urged residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies as efforts intensify to apprehend the perpetrators.