- Three killed, several injured as suspected herdsmen clash with local hunters in Benue.
- Women and children flee as violence spreads, forcing farmers to abandon their lands.
- Traditional rulers and local leaders seek peace talks to prevent further attacks.
At least three people have been killed, and several others injured in a violent clash between suspected armed herdsmen and local hunters in Okpomaju village, Okete Ward, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the attack forced women and children to flee their communities in fear of further violence.
A local source revealed that the confrontation occurred during a hunting expedition when armed herdsmen, new to the area, mistook the hunters for enemies and opened fire, killing two on the spot. In retaliation, the hunters fought back, resulting in the death of one herder.
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The violence has escalated tensions, with farmers in Ugboju District abandoning their fields due to intimidation from herdsmen firing gunshots. One affected farmer, Sunday Oga, recounted how he was chased off his farm by an armed herder, leaving behind his harvested crops.
A surviving hunter confirmed that the attackers fired on them without warning, leaving one of their injured colleagues in critical condition at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo.
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In response, the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, announced plans to meet with herdsmen leaders to address the crisis, denying allegations that local chiefs had accepted payments in exchange for grazing land.
Otukpo LGA Chairman Maxwell Ogiri also confirmed the incident, stating that herdsmen leaders had vowed to identify and remove any troublemakers among them.
Meanwhile, Benue State Police spokesperson CSP Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive an official report on the incident.
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