By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
No fewer than 14 people have reportedly been killed, while several others sustained serious injuries following a fresh attack on Efeyi community in Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with journalists on Tuesday. He said the attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when suspected armed herdsmen invaded the community and opened fire on residents.
According to Ogiri, the attack was unprovoked and has forced residents of neighbouring communities to flee for safety amid fears of further violence.
“There was no provocation to warrant the attack. It was simply an attempt to shed innocent blood and kill people. There is widespread apprehension, and residents of neighbouring communities are fleeing for safety,” he said.
The council chairman expressed concern over the continued insecurity in the area despite the presence of multiple security agencies, including the Police, Mobile Police (MOPOL), the military and Agro-Rangers.
He called on the Benue State Government to strengthen the enforcement of the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law, arguing that weak enforcement has contributed to the recurring attacks.
“There are many security agencies, including MOPOL, Agro-Rangers, the military and the Police. I do not know if they are not enough. There should be a deliberate effort by the state government to enforce the Anti-Open Grazing Law because everything is tied to it.
“Even the eviction notice issued cannot be effective because there is nobody to enforce it. As a result, we will continue to lament these attacks,” Ogiri added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not officially confirmed the incident. Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone were not answered.
Authorities are yet to provide an official casualty figure, while security operatives have reportedly intensified efforts to restore calm in the affected community.
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