Again, armed herders attack Benue community, kill five hunters

• The renewed violence, wanton killings and destruction of houses at Okpomaju appeared to have scuttled resolution efforts

Rampaging armed herdsmen terrorising Benue State have killed five hunters in a fresh attack.

The hunters were killed when the herders attack Okpomaju community in Otukpo Local Government Area the state on Wednesday.

The latest killing followed Monday’s clash between hunters and armed herders which claimed three people’s life.

It is gathered that armed herders who had newly moved into the Okpomaju community on Monday attacked hunters on a hunting expedition resulting in the death of two hunters while one of the herdsmen was also killed when the hunters retaliated

The traditional ruler of Otukpo, Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, and Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Maxwell Ogiri, had told newsmen that steps were being taken to address the issues and ensure peaceful co-existence and expose criminals found amongst the two parties.

Unfortunately, on Wednesday evening, suspected herders were reported to have stormed the Okpomaju community killing five persons and injured several others.

According to Punch, the renewed violence, wanton killings and destruction of houses at Okpomaju appeared to have scuttled resolution efforts.

A local who spoke in confidence with newsmen said: “the attack was unprovoked as the hunters were at home at Okpomaju when the armed herders, numbering 12, stormed the village with sophisticated guns, shooting indiscriminately.

“In the process, they killed Peter, popularly known as JPG and Moses, while others ran in different directions into the nearby bushes with gunshots.

“So far, we have recovered three dead bodies from those who ran to the bush making a total of five. The fifth was recovered near the Odudaje stream.

“As I speak with you, we are at the graveside, burying one of the victims, and are awaiting the other bodies from the mortuary. We are with over 200 Otukpo hunters.”

Residents of the neighbouring communities, such as Odudaje, Amla, Emichi and Otukpo-Icho, among others, were said to have fled their communities.

Confirming the Wednesday attack, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Ogiri, said security agents, including soldiers and the police had been deployed to the troubled Okpomaju community to protect the residents and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“It’s true that despite all our efforts, the Okpomaju village was attacked yesterday evening (Wednesday) and some people were killed.

“However, security operatives, including soldiers and policemen, have been drafted to the community to restore peace,” the council chairman said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, in the state, Catherine Anene, has not issued a statement on the development.