OTUKPO BOILS: Gunmen kill retired army officer, abduct mother, child as fear spreads

Otukpo, a once peaceful town in Benue State, is fast sliding into fear and uncertainty as suspected armed herdsmen intensify attacks on residents, leaving death, abductions, and trauma in their wake.

In the past few days, the community has witnessed a disturbing wave of violence that has shaken public confidence and raised serious questions about security preparedness in the area.

Two days ago, suspected gunmen ambushed a fully loaded Lagos-bound Benue Links bus around the Burnt Bricks area of Otukpo.

The attackers opened fire indiscriminately on passengers, injuring three persons who were later rushed to the hospital for treatment. Eyewitnesses said the assailants emerged suddenly from nearby bushes before fleeing the scene.

On the same day, the attackers reportedly struck again at the Obaganya area of the town, where they shot a man and abducted his wife along with their little baby. Residents said the gunmen disappeared into the surrounding bushes before security operatives could arrive.

The violence escalated further the following day when the gunmen attacked the Asa 2 area of Otukpo, killing a retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, identified as MWO Anyebe. The former soldier was reportedly murdered in his own residence, deepening fears among locals.

In another incident, the gunmen also attacked a vehicle conveying market women around the FTC Otobi axis. The women were reportedly returning from a market in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area, when the assailants opened fire on their vehicle.

However, the timely intervention of police operatives forced the attackers to retreat into the surrounding bush, preventing further casualties.

The spate of attacks has thrown Otukpo into a state of panic, with residents now living in fear, especially at night. Many say the town is no longer safe.

A resident and community activist, Meddy Olotu, while narrating the incidents, described the situation as alarming and called on security agencies to act decisively.

He warned that if urgent steps are not taken, the situation could spiral out of control. Olotu also appealed to the Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, to rise to the occasion and coordinate immediate community-level security responses.

“Otukpo is boiling. This town is no longer safe. If urgent steps are not taken, the situation may get completely out of hand,” Olotu warned.

Many residents have echoed similar concerns, lamenting that Otukpo, once known for its calm and communal life, has become unsafe.

They are calling for urgent reinforcement of security operatives, improved patrols, and stronger intelligence gathering to flush out the attackers, who are believed to still be hiding within nearby forests and communities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the series of attacks. Meanwhile, residents continue to plead for immediate government and security intervention, warning that silence and inaction could further embolden the attackers.