Ten Killed In Suspected Herdsmen Attack On Otukpo Communities

The Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the attack on, and killings of no fewer than 10 persons in Otukpo Local Council by suspected armed herdsmen.

This is as Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, lamented the worsening security crisis in the state of recent.

The Source reports that some suspected armed herdsmen launched multiple dusk to dawn attack on the twin communities of Akpachi-Ugboju and Otukpo-Nobi between Saturday night and the wee hours of Sunday, killing about ten persons and left several others injured ,and displaced.

Local witness accounts informed that the attackers in their numbers  invaded Ugboju community at about midnight on Saturday where two people were reportedly killed, before attacking Otukpo-Nobi at about 5 am on Sunday, and murdered eight people.

According to the locals, residents were taken by surprise as they were deep asleep when the attackers came calling.

However, incensed by the latest orgy of bloodletting, residents on Sunday morning staged a peaceful protest match to the palace of the traditional ruler of Idoma , the Och’Idoma ,His Royal Majesty Dr John Odogbo Eliagwu.

Brandishing the bodies of the victims, the aggrieved residents called for an immediate intervention and enhanced security in the area, as well as the arrest and prosecution of the masterminds.

Governor Alia, in a statement from Tersoo Kula, his spokesperson described the killings as barbaric, inhuman ,and a direct assault on the peace and stability of the state.

The Governor who blamed the attack and killings on suspected armed herdsmen, regretted the loss of innocent residents as well as several injured and displaced people.

This is as he directed security agencies to enhance security in the affected areas, through intensified surveillance and patrols.