A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night when Amedu Agaba, a Councillorship aspirant from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last local government elections, and four others were killed in the escalating conflict between armed herdsmen and the residents of Okpomaju village in Okete Ward, Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State.
Reports indicate that several people sustained injuries, and around 10 others are missing following the attack.
Earlier in the week, tensions began when armed herdsmen allegedly ambushed Okpomaju locals who were on a hunting trip, mistaking them for enemies. Three people were killed in that initial assault.
Despite efforts by the Och’ Otukpo, Chief John Eimonye, who called for a meeting between Fulani and Okpomaju community leaders to negotiate peace, the situation worsened. On Wednesday night, armed herdsmen reportedly attacked again, firing indiscriminately and destroying homes, food barns, and farmlands.
A local source described the attack as unprovoked, explaining that the hunters were at their homes in Okpomaju when the herders—around 12 in number—arrived with sophisticated weapons. They killed Peter, also known as JPG, and Moses, while others fled into nearby bushes to escape the gunfire.
Amedu Agaba, the APC aspirant, was also killed during the attack, along with the others. Five bodies have been recovered so far, including one found near the Odudaje stream, and efforts are ongoing to locate more victims.
The Local Government Chairman, Mr. Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, adding that both police and military forces have been deployed to the area to prevent further escalation.
The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ode, who is from Otukpo, visited the affected area on Thursday to assess the situation and urged the warring parties to embrace peace.
Efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene for further comment were unsuccessful.