At least 46 persons, including the son of the Otukpo Local Government Council Chairman and a police officer, have been killed in an attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Umogidi village, Enetekpa Adoka district of Otukpo LGA of Benue state.
The attack happened on Wednesday evening, barely 12 hours of an earlier attack on the same community which claimed the lives of the three persons whose corpses the community just buried when the armed herders stormed the community for the second time.
The Chairman of Otupko LGA, Mr. Bako Eje who hails from the village and whose son was murdered, confirmed the incident in tears
Mr. Eje told the Vanguard, “After the earlier attack which claimed the lives of three persons, we went to the village to see the situation of things and also bury the dead.
“Shortly after the burial the herdsmen came back to the village at about 4:15 pm and killed 46 persons including my own son who was 33 years old.
“They also killed the husband of my immediate younger sister and her son of about 38 years. Several other persons are still missing and we do not know their whereabouts, but I am still in the village.”
Reacting, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Col. Paul Hemba(retd) who decried the incident described it as tragic and painful.
Col. Hemba said “I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as of this morning the causality figure from those who were seen physically from what I was told was 46.
“But the figure may rise higher because some people are still reported missing. Police and soldiers have been deployed there to assist. The situation is for now calm.
“The local government chairman is from that community and unfortunately, he too lost his 33-year-old son. It is a very tragic and painful incident.”
Confirming the development in a terse statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene said “eight corpses have been recovered including a Police officer. More police teams have been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order.”
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 