Odoba vs Obu clash: Real reason Benue communities are at war

Fresh facts have emerged on the bloody intercommunal clash between Obu and Odoba communities in Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government area of Benue State.

IDOMA VOICE had earlier reported that three men were murdered during altercation that happened at a birthday party in Odoba yesterday (Saturday, 27 March).

James, a residents of Odoba told IDOMA VOICE that one young man from Obu simply identified as Emma, was killed by suspected cultists at a birthday party organized by a young man in Odoba by the name Obiabo aka Parlee. The source added that hoodlums from Obu stormed Odoba with Aka-47s and other dangerous weapons after receiving the news of the murder of the young man from Obu said to be a very popular motorcyclist aka okada, and shot at two innocent young men from Odoba simple identified as Thankgod and Kenneth aka Swagamo, who died on the spot.

“Many houses were also burnt down in Odoba. One Mama Baddo, a popular vigilante’s house was set ablaze by the hoodlums from Obu who claimed that her son, Ochigbo aka Baddo, was part of the suspects who killed the young man from Obu.

As we speak two corpses are at Odoba hall while one is at Odoba primary school,” the source added.

Another source, Emaikwu, who spoke with our reporter said the young man from Obu who was killed in Odoba was attending the party of a rival cult group.

“The guy from Obu came to attend a party dominated by members of a rival confraternity in Odoba, and was standing at the road outside the Aigiya Community hall where the party was taking place, when some suspected rival cult members on bike hit him with a plank and hacked him to death.

What followed was a reprisal attack by Obu hoodlums not necessary members of his group but those led by the sentiment that Odoba people killed one of their own,” the source said.

Clement, a brother to one of the deceased, confirmed to our reporter on phone: “My brother Kenneth and Mekoyo’s brother, Thankgod, an artist, are those that were killed by Obu boys in Odoba yesterday.”

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the burial of the father of one of the young men, Kenneth who was killed by the hoodlums from Obu, Chief Dickson Okpe a well respected elder statesman, is in three days.

Efforts by our reporter to speak with a chief from Obu proved abortive as he was in church as at the time the call came in.

Chief Boniface Ijachi, a community leader in Odoba told our reporter on phone that the elders are shock and sadden by the unfortunate incident.

He condemned the development and called on the relevant authorities to step in.

“What is happening now is very unfortunate, the Odoba and Obu people are brothers, neighbors and in-laws.

We are one family, we are both Ai-Oono.

When brothers fight, nobody wins.

“I want to use this medium to call on the relevant authorities to investigate the matter and let all those causing bad blood between the communities be made to face the wrath of the law.

Properties worth millions have been destroyed since the fight broke out.

Three lives are gone, more lives would follow if nothing is done,” the chief said.

Efforts by IDOMA VOICE correspondent to get police comment from the DPO of Obu police station proved abortive as the DPO could not be reached.