*As suspected armed herders kill 46 people, including police officer in Otukpo Local Government Area
*Among those killed are 32 year-old son of Council Chairman, his nephew and brother-in-law
*The attack took place on Wednesday night while natives were mourning 3 people earlier killed on Tuesday
*Benue Govs Special Adviser on Security, Lt. Col. Paul Hembe confirmed the casualty figure
By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
It was a blood bath on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 at Umogidi, Entekpa in Adoka District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State as suspected armed herders for the second day murdered 46 people.
Among those killed were the son of the council chairman, Mr. Bako Ejeh, his nephew and his brother-in-law.
It will be recalled that Umogidi community was invaded by the suspected herders on Tuesday and three people were killed.
A local who identified himself as Dan told our correspondent: “If you remember, these people on Tuesday came to our community and killed three people. These people were buried around midday yesterday (Wednesday).
“And we were still mourning the death of these three people when they (herdsmen) returned yesterday evening and started shooting sporadically.”
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Mr. Bako Ejeh who confirmed the attack on Thursday lamented that he lost his 32 year old son, nephew and a brother-in-law to the Wednesday attack.
According to him: “You know that these herders killed three people on Tuesday and they (herders) came back yesterday (Wednesday) at about 4:15 pm and killed 46 people including my own son who was 32 years. We just buried him and some other persons are still missing.”
“Among the people killed were my immediate younger sister’s husband and her second son who was almost 38 years old”, he lamented.
Confirming the attack and casualty figure, the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, Lt Col. Paul Hemba, retired, confirmed the casualty figure in a telephone chat with newsmen on Thursday.
“I can confirm to you that there was an attack in Umogidi and as of this morning, the casualty figure from those who were seen physically from what I was told was 46. But the figure may be higher because some people are still reported missing.
“The local government chairman is from that community and unfortunately, he too lost his 33-year-old son. It’s a very tragic and painful incident”, Hemba said.
He added that more policemen and soldiers have been deployed to the area to assist, adding that calm has since been restored to the community.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police, said eight corpses have been recovered including a police officer while more police teams have been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
