Benue: PDP House of Assembly candidate, female pastor among victims of herdsmen attack 

Fresh details have emerged over Tuesday’s deadly attack in Otobi-Akpa, Otobi Ward, in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State.

DAILY POST reports that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen reportedly struck the community around 12:00 a.m., firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee for safety.

The attack, which lasted several hours, left at least five residents dead.

Among the victims were Hon. Ochi Igbabe, the 2019 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State House of Assembly candidate, and Pastor Mrs. Menu Ojiji, who reportedly died of shock from the gunfire.

Several other residents remain unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.

Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, following a kidnapping attempt on Sunday night at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba in Otobi, which was foiled by community volunteer guards under the command of Ocheme Jackson.

The incident had prompted a heightened security alert in the area, but the attackers were still able to strike.

Residents are now calling for urgent intervention from security agencies to prevent further bloodshed and restore safety to the community.
Reacting to the incident, a native of the community, Major Agbo, condemned the role of some content creators in exacerbating divisions among the people. He said:

“Idoma content creators being used to blackmail political leaders through slander and misinformation contribute to dividing the people along the thin lines of greed. The gulf created by their activities through misinformation provides the opportunity for outside forces to exploit and kill our innocent and vulnerable people.

“Use your content-creating prowess to preach unity and peace, and to unite the people to confront the aggressors on a common front. The careless statements made under the cover of content creation are a recipe for sharp division, creating holes for intrusion by outsiders.

“We still don’t have the sophistication to play politics when needed and unite to fight a common enemy when needed.”

Benue: PDP House of Assembly candidate, female pastor among victims of herdsmen attack