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Suspected bandits have abducted 14 passengers in Benue State, killing two, while armed herders killed five others in separate attacks across the state.
The abduction occurred on Monday evening along the Okpokwu axis, targeting passengers travelling from the Igede area of Oju and Obi local government areas, while the deadly herder attack hit Tuutuu in Entekpa Ward of Adoka, Otukpo Local Government Area.
The bandit victims were reportedly en route to the South West when their vehicle was intercepted along the Okpokwu axis at about 7 pm on Monday.
The attack comes less than 48 hours after nine worshippers were kidnapped during a vigil at St. John’s Catholic Church, Ojije in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area.
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A local source in Makurdi told our correspondent, “They departed Iheijwo Market in Oju LGA around 7 pm, and the driver passed through Utonkon-Ojapo/Okpoga road in Benue State when the kidnappers stopped them and took 15 passengers into the bush. One person was shot dead when the driver refused to stop.”
The chairman of Oju LGA, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident.
He said, “My security officer called me a few hours ago and told me that some of our people were abducted around the Okpokwu axis. I learnt that two of the passengers were killed and the bandits whisked away the remaining passengers.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the abduction.
Edet said, “Concerning the abduction of passengers on Okpokwu road, it’s true it happened, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing, and we are on top of the situation.”
Confirming the herders’ attack in Tuutuu, Entekpa Ward of Adoka, Otukpo LGA, the ward head, Oliver Inalegwu, told journalists on Tuesday that the village had become deserted following the attack.
The chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogri, confirmed the incident, describing it as a well-coordinated attack.
He explained that the perpetrators used cattle as a decoy before launching a deadly assault on the community.
“I am just coming from the community, and what happened was that there was information that some strangers had entered the village.
“After some time, they discovered that the issue of the cattle was just a decoy to push their attention towards where the cattle were.
“So, the cattle were coming from one direction, and the attackers also came from another direction. And while the cows were coming from another direction, they had already gone up hanging on trees, waiting for that direction before they could strike the community.
“They did a lot of damage. Instantly, five people were killed,” Ogri said.
Spokesperson for the state police command, Edet, said she had yet to receive official information about the attack.
“I am yet to get a report from Otukpo on the incident. I will surely get back to you the moment I have the report,” she said.
Otukpo and neighbouring communities have increasingly become epicentres of armed herder attacks.
Between January 11 and 13, suspected armed herders killed five people in Otobi Akpa community and attacked a fully loaded bus, injuring three passengers on the outskirts of Otukpo township.
