A palpable sense of fear has gripped the residents of Otobi-Akpa community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, who are fleeing in large numbers following a recent assault by armed men believed to be herdsmen. The attack occurred on Tuesday evening, resulting in the immediate deaths of seven farmers, while several others sustained varying degrees of injury.
A member of the community, who identified himself only as Alechenu, informed our correspondent that the herdsmen invaded the area at approximately 6:30 pm, just as many residents were returning from their farms. The assailants began shooting indiscriminately at anyone in sight and set several houses ablaze.
According to Alechenu, a significant number of residents are feared dead, and numerous homes were torched during the onslaught by the marauding herdsmen.
However, an eyewitness who joined the security response team in searching the area for missing persons, Elaigwu Idoko, reported to our correspondent that seven bodies have thus far been recovered at the scene, while the search for the missing continues in the surrounding bushland.
When contacted, the lawmaker representing the Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, confirmed via a telephone interview that the attackers entered the community around 5:30 pm on Tuesday. The lawmaker, who hails from the Akpa district, noted that an unconfirmed number of individuals have been killed and that hundreds are already fleeing the community out of fear.
Another resident of Otobi Community, Edwin Emma, expressed his distress during a telephone conversation, stating that many are feared dead and that residents feel helpless. He appealed for assistance from the government and security forces. “We are being attacked by herdsmen in Otobi community for the second time in one month. My wife and children are currently trekking to escape the area as I speak to you; we need help,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that Otobi is the community that hosts the Federal Ministry of Water Resources’ multipurpose water dam and has been attacked twice this month of April. Locals have also indicated that the security guard at the facility was killed just ten days ago.
Attempts to obtain a response from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Catherine Anene, have proven unsuccessful, as her phone was reported to be switched off.
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