News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
Another bloody attack has been launched on Okpomaju community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State killing no fewer than five hunters and injured several others.
This is coming two days after people suspected to be herdsmen militia and hunters clashed leading to the loss of three lives.
A source from the area, who pleaded anonymity told newsmen in Makurdi Thursday, that after the Tuesday attack where one person suspected to be herdsman and two hunters were killed.
It would be recalled that the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye and the leaders of the armed herders had on Tuesday, resolved among others issues to ensure peaceful co-existence and expose criminals found amongst the two parties.
The source said despite the agreement reached to end the hostilities between the parties, the herders again struck Wednesday evening.
The local said the renewed hostility was accompanied by massive destruction of houses at Okpomaju thereby relegating the resolution to the background.
The source said, “the attack was unprovoked as the hunters were at home at Okpomaju when the armed herders, numbering 12, stormed the village with sophisticated guns shooting sporadically.
“In the process, they killed Peter, popularly known as JPG and Moses, while others ran to different directions into the nearby bushes with gun shots.
“So far, we have recovered three dead bodies from those who ran to the bush making a total of five. The fifth was recovered near Odudaje stream.
“As I speak with you, we are at the graveside, burying one of the victims and are awaiting the other bodies from the mortuary. We are with over 200 Otukpo hunters.”
The local lamented that the latest development has triggered further displacement of residents, not just from Okpomaju but from the neighbouring villages of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi and Otukpo-Icho, among others.
He said some of those who ran for safety said the sound of gunshots from the herders were too deafening and frightening for them to stay put in their homes.
The Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident and said security agents including soldiers and the police are already in Okpomaju to protect the residents and forestall further breakdown of law and order.
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Benue State Command, CSP Catherine Anene was not successful for comments.
