From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
Five persons, including the House of Assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa state constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2019 general election, Igbabe Ochi, and four others have been murdered in attack on Otobi community, in Otukpo Local Government area of Benue State.
This is just as the State government confirmed that kidnappers believed to be in search of food for their victims attacked a provision shop at otobi Akpa community around 1.30am.
A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Internal Security Chief Joseph Har said four persons were killed at the shop, pointing out that they looted the shop and moved into the nearby forest when the locals responded.
He said, “the police and the Civil Protection Guards were immediately deployed to the community to prevent further attack. Those killed were identified to be Hon Ochi Ugbabe, Achibi Onah, Eje Eba and Sunday Iruja. Four persons were kidnapped recently and were yet to be released.”
But according to residents who pleaded anonymity, the attack which happened at about 1.30am on Tuesday morning, followed Sunday’s night kidnapping attempt at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba in Otobi but was foiled by the community volunteer guards commander, Ocheme Jackson and his team, prompting a high security alert in the community.
The local sources said that the community has been singled out by suspected bandits for attacks, following the killing of thirteen persons on the 15th of April 2025 and another attack that claimed three more lives in May 2025.
“Following Sunday’s Kidnap attempt, community volunteers guard members with the support of youths in the area, kept patrol and surveillance team across the community up until 12.00am om Tuesday morning before retiring to rest”
The sources further noted that “When the surveillance team from the railway crossing into Ijami part of Otobi pulled back to rest, at about 1.30am, the gunmen stormed the community and started shooting, killing five persons in the process and looted foodstuff and other valuables “.
When contacted, the President, Otobi community development association, John Anyebe said the attackers came through the railway station bridge from Ijami part of Otobi and headed to where the victims were sitting not far from the transformer junction.
“Yes, the attack is carried out by suspected herdsmen who have been terrorizing our community, they shot one persons close to water board before heading to where Hon Igbabe Ochi and four others were seated and opened fire on them, looting the stores around for food and other valuables”.
Anyebe lamented the killing of his people first on April 15th, 2025 where thirteen persons were killed, two weeks after three other persons were killed at Omebe axis of Otobi Community.
“We can confirm that an incident occurred earlier today at Otobi-Akpa. Tragically, four individuals have lost their lives.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and loved ones affected by this incident.
“Investigation is in progress, and efforts are being made to arrest the perpetrators to face justice”, the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Edet Udeme stated.
The lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa state constituency, Mister Kennedy Angbo lamented over the persistent attacks on his constituency, noting that, on Sunday traveller’s on a Benue links bus were attacked at a location described as Burnt Bricks Otukpo where three persons were hospitalized from the incident
“You can imagine that five of my constituents have been killed again at Otobi community of Akpa district, barely a year after the killing of thirteen persons on April 15th 2025”.
“On Sunday at about 7.00pm, around Burnt Bricks Otukpo, these gunmen opened fire on traveller’s, injuring three persons and it was just God that protected them from any fatality, so I am calling on the security agencies to do more on intelligence gathering and counter operations to flush out these terrorists from our surroundings, he appealed passionately”.
