Five killed as hunters, bandits clash in Benue

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

At least, five persons have been reportedly killed as armed bandits and hunters in Okpomaju community in Otukpo local government area of Benue State clashed.

The killings occurred in spite of resolution reached during a peace meeting aimed at putting an end to hostilities in the area.

Recalled that the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye and the leaders of the armed bandits had on Tuesday resolved among others to ensure peaceful co-existence and expose criminals found amongst the two parties.

This came after one herder and two hunters were killed.

However, the renewed hostility accompanied by the massive killings and alleged destruction of houses at Okpomaju appeared to have relegated the resolution to the background.

According to a local who confided in newsmen on phone, “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 indiscricrinately.

“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 recoverved 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.”

Meanwhile, the latest development has triggered further displacement of residents, not just from Okpomaju but from the villages of Odudaje, Amla, Emichi and Otukpo-Icho, among others.

Some of those running for safety were said to have heard deafening sounds of gunshots from the herders.

When contacted, the Chairman of the Local Government Council, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, said security agents, including soldiers and the police have been deployed in Okpomaju to protect the residents and forestall further breakdown of law and order.