APC CHIEFTAIN, FOUR OTHERS KILLED IN FRESH HERDERS' ATTACK IN OTUKPO

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An All Progressive Congress, APC, Councillorship aspirant in the last local government polls, Amedu Agaba and four others were Wednesday night reportedly killed in the escalating crisis between armed herdsmen and the locals of Okpomaju village in Okete Ward of Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state.

Several persons were also reported to have sustained injuries, while about 10 others have been declared missing in the community.

Recall that the crisis erupted earlier in the week when suspected armed herders allegedly attacked the locals of Okpomaju who were on a hunting expedition after mistaking them for enemies. Three lives were lost in that incident.

It was gathered that Och’Otukpo Odu and Chief John Eimonye had summoned a meeting of the Fulani and Okpomaju community leaders to resolve the crisis. Still, after agreeing to embrace peace, the crisis escalated Wednesday night when armed herders allegedly stormed the community, shooting sporadically and destroying houses, food barns and farmlands.

According to a source in the area, renewed hostility has forced the people of Okpomaju and those of neighboring communities of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi, Otukpo-Icho and Otada, the host community of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, among others, to flee their abode.

He said: “The attack was unprovoked as the hunters were at home at Okpomaju when the armed herders, numbering about 12, stormed the village with sophisticated guns, shooting indiscriminately.

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

“Also killed in the attack was a staunch APC member and Councillorship aspirant in the last October local government election, Mr. Amedu Agaba.

“So far, we have recovered some bodies of those who ran to the bush, making a total of five. The fifth was recovered near the Odudaje stream. And the search for more bodies is on.

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

The Chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the development and said the police and military had deployed personnel to the community to forestall further escalation of the crisis.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Samuel Ode, who hails from Otukpo, led a delegation to the area on Thursday to assess the situation and prevail on the parties to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful.