Three individuals suspected to be herdsmen have been arrested in connection with the deadly attacks that claimed 11 lives in the Otobi community, located in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Governor Hyacinth Alia made the disclosure during a press briefing at Government House, Makurdi, on Wednesday. He condemned the renewed violence and called for urgent action from security agencies to apprehend those behind the killings.
Alia said National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has assured him of the deployment of more security resources to quell the attacks, particularly in the troubled Otukpo axis.
The governor confirmed that security forces had already been dispatched to the affected areas and that three suspects were taken into custody. Local reports from the member representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, indicated that nine bodies were discovered Tuesday night, followed by two more the next morning, bringing the death toll to eleven.
The attack has stirred fear and mourning across the state. Otobi, a community that houses the Federal Ministry of Water Resources’ Multipurpose Dam, has now come under violent assault twice in April. Just days earlier, a security guard was killed at the dam site.
Deputy Governor Samuel Ode was earlier dispatched to visit the bereaved community. He conveyed the government’s condolences and pledged to tackle the rising insecurity.
Ode also made monetary donations to help victims with immediate needs, while the Benue State Emergency Management Agency was directed to carry out a full assessment and provide relief materials.
The attack on Otobi is the latest in a troubling series of incidents stretching along the Otukpo-Ado road, affecting communities from Okpamaju to Asa One, Asa Two, and extending towards the Ebonyi State border.
