By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen have reportedly attacked Otobi in Akpa district of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue state, killing several persons.
The attack which started about 5.30 pm on Tuesday, according to the lawmaker representating Otukpo-Akpa in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Kennedy Angbo in a Telephone chat, unconfirmed number of persons have been killed and hundreds have fled the community.
A resident of Otobi Community, Edwin Emma, who spoke to our corredpondent on phone, said several persons are feared killed as he called for help from government and security forces.
“We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community. My wife and children are fleeing from the community as I speak,” Emma said.
Otobi, the community hosting the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam, has come under attack twice in the month of April as the security guard at the facility was killed ten days ago.
The Executive Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the development to our correspondent on phone in Makurdi.
Angbo said he has directed some of his aides who are living in Otobi community and Akpa district to mobilize security personnel to the axis to bring the situation under control.
“Yes, the attack by herders on Otobi community is confirmed. I am not around right. I’m in Abuja and after the Local Government Election Tribunal judgement yesterday, I decided to stay back and put things together to file appeal.
“So, this evening, my aides called to inform me that Otobi community is under severe attack, and that the attack is still on going.
“However, I have directed my aides around the axis to mobilize security personnel on my behalf to the area. As I speak with you, security agents are currently being drafted to the area.
“Since I’m not on ground, I’m yet to get full reports of the attack. But it’s a herders attack. So far, I have not been told of any death yet but by tomorrow, I should be able to give you more details”, Ogiri said.
He called on the people of the community to remain law abiding and wait for the security agencies to do the needful.
Effort to get the reaction of the Benue State Police Command was unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, CSP Catherine Anene could not be reached.
