Retal
A devastating attack occurred in Benue State’s Okpomaju community on Wednesday night, as armed herdsmen launched a surprise assault on local hunters, killing five people and injuring many others. The attack is believed to be a retaliatory response to the earlier killing of a herdsman in a clash with hunters.
According to eyewitnesses, the herdsmen stormed the Okpomaju community with sophisticated guns, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze. The attack left several houses burned, and many community members displaced.
A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the attack: “The hunters were at home in Okpomaju when the armed herdsmen, numbering around 12, stormed the village with sophisticated guns, shooting indiscriminately.”
The resident continued: “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.”
The attack has sparked widespread fear and displacement in the community, with many residents fleeing to nearby towns for safety. Some of those who fled described the sound of gunshots as “deafening” and said they were too frightened to stay in their homes.
The Chairman of the Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that security agents, including soldiers and police, had been deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further attacks.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Anene, for confirmation were unsuccessful.
The attack is a clear indication of the escalating tensions between herders and local communities in Benue State, which has been plagued by violent clashes and killings in recent years.
The incident has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure justice for victims and their families.
