PDP lawmaker, four others killed as gunmen attack Otobi-Akpa community in Benue

A member of the PDP and four others were killed in an attack by gunmen on the Otobi-Akpa community in Benue State.

Reports indicate that armed men, believed to be herdsmen, invaded the area around midnight on Tuesday, firing randomly and forcing residents to flee for their lives. The assault, which lasted several hours, resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including Hon. Ochi Igbabe, the PDP candidate for the Benue State House of Assembly in 2019, and Pastor Mrs. Menu Ojiji, who reportedly died from shock due to the gunfire. Several residents remain unaccounted for.

Witnesses noted that this attack followed a thwarted kidnapping attempt on Sunday night in nearby Ekwu-Ora’Odaba, which was prevented by community volunteer guards led by Ocheme Jackson. Despite increased security alert in the area, the attackers were still able to launch their assault.

Residents are now urging security agencies to take immediate action to prevent further violence and restore peace to their community.

In response to the attack, local resident Major Agbo criticized some content creators for exacerbating divisions among the community. He stated that “Idoma content creators are being used to blackmail political leaders through slander and misinformation, which fosters discord.” He cautioned that such activities create vulnerabilities that outside forces can exploit to harm innocent residents.

Agbo urged creators to focus on promoting unity and peace in order to unite against common threats, warning that careless rhetoric can lead to divisions that allow external aggressors to infiltrate. He asserted that the community lacks the capacity to engage in political maneuvering while also uniting for defense against a shared enemy.