In a renewed wave of violence, five hunters were reportedly killed on Wednesday evening following an attack by suspected armed herders in the Okpomaju community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident comes just days after a deadly clash between hunters and herders on Monday, which claimed the lives of three individuals.
According to reports, tensions escalated when armed herders, believed to be newcomers to the area, ambushed a group of hunters during an expedition. That confrontation resulted in the deaths of two hunters, while one of the herders was also killed during a retaliatory attack.
Despite ongoing efforts by local leaders to mediate and restore peace, the latest attack has left the community in shock. Traditional ruler of Otukpo, Och’Otukpo Odu, John Eimonye, and the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Maxwell Ogiri, had previously assured the public that measures were being put in place to promote peaceful coexistence and root out criminal elements within both groups.
However, the situation took a dire turn on Wednesday when suspected herders reportedly invaded Okpomaju, opening fire indiscriminately.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the harrowing scene: “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.”
The fear of further violence has driven many residents, particularly women and children from Okpomaju and nearby communities such as Odudaje, Amla, Emichi, and Otukpo-Icho, to flee their homes.
Confirming the attack, Otukpo Local Government Chairman Maxwell Ogiri stated that security forces had been deployed to the area to maintain order and protect residents.
“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,” Ogiri said.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as calls to her phone went unanswered, and messages sent remained without a response at the time of filing this report.
(PUNCH)