Benue: Suspected herdsmen kill two farmers in Umogidi Otukpo

Two farmers, displaced from their ancestral homes in the Umogidi community in the Entekpa Council ward of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, have been killed by suspected herdsmen.

Reports indicate that two others sustained injuries, while another was abducted in this recent wave of violence.

According to locals who preferred to remain anonymous, the deceased had fled their homes not long ago due to a similar attack.

However, they ventured back to their farms in Umogidi, where they met their unfortunate demise on Tuesday.

The remaining three victims were also tending to their fields when the bandits launched their assault. One was forcibly taken, while the other two suffered injuries during the harrowing encounter.

Speaking to journalists over the phone on Thursday, one resident revealed, “The bandits are now demanding N5 million as ransom for the kidnapped victim. All of these individuals are internally displaced persons (IDPs) who sought to gather food from their farms, only to be targeted by the same armed assailants who had previously driven them from their homes.”

Confirming the tragic incident during a telephone conversation with reporters, Alfred Omakwu, the caretaker chairman of Otukpo LGA, emphasized that these victims were indeed IDPs who had ventured out to farm on Tuesday but were met with violence.

Omakwu added, “The bandits launched another attack on the village of Upu in Otukpo on Wednesday. Fortunately, our soldiers bravely repelled the attackers, engaging them in a fierce gun battle from afternoon until 7 pm.”

He continued, “The IDPs are currently sheltered at St. Charles Primary School, with many of them renting a single room in Adoka central for their families. Tragically, they left the safety of Adoka and headed to their farms in Umogidi, only to face this terrible fate. Two lives were lost in the process.”

“Yesterday, during the attack in Upu village, our soldiers valiantly defended the community. The armed invaders opened fire, but due to the swift response of our military, they were forced to retreat into the bush. Thankfully, there were no casualties.”

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, proved unsuccessful as her phone remained unresponsive.