Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have, again, attacked Okpomaju community in Otukpo Local Government Area, (LGA), of Benue State, killing five hunters and injuring several others.
It would be recalled that herdsmen militia invaded the community a few days ago and killed two residents who were on a hunting expedition.
A source from the area, who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi on Thursday – today, February 6 – said despite a resolution reached by leaders of both groups to end the hostilities between them, the herders went ahead and struck Wednesday evening.
It would be recalled that the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye and the leaders of the armed herders had on Tuesday, after one herdsman and two hunters were killed, resolved among others to ensure peaceful co-existence and expose criminals found amongst the two parties.
The source said the renewed hostility was accompanied by massive destruction of houses at Okpomaju thereby relegating the resolution to the background.
The source 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 sporadically.
“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 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,” he lamented.
The resident lamented that the latest development has triggered further displacement of residents, not just from Okpomaju but from the neighbouring villages of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi and Otukpo-Icho, among others.
He said some of those who ran for safety said the sound of gunshots from the herders were too deafening and frightening for them to stay put in their homes.
Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident and said security agents including soldiers and the police are already in Okpomaju to protect the residents and forestall further breakdown of law and order.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue State Command, CSP Catherine Anene could not be reached as she did not answer calls made to her phone.
