EIGHT KILLED, FIVE INJURED AS GUNMEN ATTACK BENUE COMMUNITY AFTER BURIAL
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that eight people were killed and five others injured after armed assailants attacked the Otukpo Nobi community in the early hours of Sunday, shortly after the burial ceremony of an octogenarian, Adaje Okoh.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the attack occurred after the successful completion of the wake and burial rites of the late Okoh.
The statement read in part, “At about 6:00 a.m., the Command received a distress call reporting that armed assailants invaded the community shortly after the successful conclusion of the wake and burial rites of the late Mr Adaje Okoh, an octogenarian.
“The attackers reportedly opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in the death of eight persons, while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Some thatched houses and a motorcycle were also set ablaze during the attack.”
Edet said that following the report, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, led tactical teams and other operatives to the community to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
She added that the command had commenced an investigation into the incident, noting that the injured victims were taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment, while the remains of those killed were deposited at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for preservation.
The police spokesperson said the commissioner condemned the attack and assured residents of Otukpo and the state of the command’s commitment to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible.
She disclosed that additional tactical and operational assets had been deployed to the affected community and other vulnerable areas to prevent further security breaches.
Edet also said security had been strengthened around the area following a protest by some aggrieved youths.
The command urged residents to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to aid ongoing investigations.
While commiserating with the families of the victims, the commissioner “advised residents to go about their lawful activities, assuring them that adequate security measures had been put in place to protect lives and property”.
Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, has distanced its members from the attack and killings.
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