Suspected Herders Kill 5 Farmers In Benue

Armed men suspected to be herders invaded the Okpomaju Community in Otukpo local government area of Benue State, killing five farmers, while scores sustained varying degrees of injury.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the suspected bandits also set several houses and food barns ablaze during the attack.

The incident occurred three days after hunters and armed herders clashed in the community, which led to the deaths of two hunters and one herder.

Our correspondent also gathered from the locals that the armed herders, believed to be new in Okpomaju community, attacked hunters during their hunting expedition on Monday.

The traditional ruler of Otukpo, Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, and the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, told newsmen that measures were underway to resolve the crises to ensure peaceful co-existence, and expose criminal elements among both parties.

While the resolution process was ongoing armed herders invaded the village on Wednesday evening, shooting sporadically at anyone on sight, resulting in the killing of the victims.

A community elder who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the attack triggered further displacement of residents, not just from Okpomaju, but from neighbouring communities of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi and Otukpo-Icho, among others.

Some of the fleeing community members, Inalegwu Adeyi, Mary Ijagwu said they were terrified by the heavy sound of gunshots from the herders.

When contacted, the Chairman of the local government council, Mr Ogiri, said security agents comprising soldiers and the police were already in Okpomaju to protect the residents and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Catherine Anene proved abortive as she was neither picking her calls nor replying to text messages.