BREAKING: Soldiers, police take over Otukpo, chase away youths protesting over insecurity

There is currently tension in Otukpo, the headquarters of Benue South Senatorial District, as heavily armed security personnel, including soldiers, took over the streets to disperse youths who had planned a peaceful walk against rising insecurity in the area.

IDOMA VOICE reports that the protest was organized in response to the ongoing killings and kidnappings of residents.

Recently, a lawyer, Mark Ofikwu, was murdered by unknown gunmen, while a former lawmaker, Hon. Adeka, was kidnapped just weeks after burying his wife.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the area has witnessed a series of violent crimes, including a deadly bank robbery that left many dead.

However, as the youths began to gather, security operatives drawn from various agencies moved in to stop the demonstration.

The Police Area Commander, while addressing the protesters, instructed them to go home, insisting that there was no record of insecurity in Otukpo in recent times.

One of the organizers of the walk, Meddy Olotu, expressed his frustration over the security response, questioning why such a swift deployment of armed personnel was possible for a peaceful protest but not for tackling insecurity.

“See the two Hilux they sent this morning to stop the peaceful walk 🥺. They said there’s no insecurity in Otukpo and what we want to do na nonsense 😳. So we have this type of security quick response in Otukpo? My God!!” he lamented.