At least five people were killed in an Otobi-Akpa attack in Benue State as residents flee amid renewed security concerns

At least five residents were killed in a deadly attack by suspected herdsmen in Otobi-Akpa, Otobi Ward, local reports indicate.

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Eyewitnesses said gunmen struck the community around midnight on Tuesday, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee.

The assault lasted several hours and claimed the lives of Hon. Ochi Igbabe, a 2019 PDP State House of Assembly candidate, and Pastor Mrs. Menu Ojiji, who reportedly died of shock from the gunfire. Several other residents remain unaccounted for.

The attack followed a foiled kidnapping attempt on Sunday night at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba, which had been thwarted by community volunteer guards led by Ocheme Jackson.

Despite heightened security following the previous attempt, attackers were able to carry out the assault.

Residents are now urging security agencies to intervene urgently to prevent further bloodshed and restore safety to the area.

Reacting to the incident, local resident Major Agbo condemned content creators who, he said, exacerbate divisions among the people through misinformation.

“Idoma content creators being used to blackmail political leaders through slander and misinformation contribute to dividing the people… The careless statements made under the cover of content creation are a recipe for sharp division, creating holes for intrusion by outsiders,” Agbo said.

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He urged citizens to use communication and content creation to promote unity and collectively confront aggressors, rather than deepen divisions that compromise community safety.