Outrage and mourning continue to grip Benue State following a fresh wave of deadly attacks on farming communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of the State.
In the wake of coordinated assaults over the weekend that left at least 10 people dead, the Benue State Government is making an urgent appeal to the Federal government to establish a Joint Military Task Force base in Otukpo for rapid tactical deployment, insisting that a security architecture must be designed that will not only be preventive but also go after perpetrators.
The latest attacks by suspected armed herders swept through Akpachi, Otukpo-Nobi, Okpamaju, and Otobi where sleeping families were caught completely off guard.
The carnage claimed at least 10 lives, dozens more were injured, while search parties continue to comb nearby bushes for those still missing.
But this time, the community chose not to mourn in silence, demanding an end to the relentless cycle of bloodshed.
Furious youth from the local communities took to the streets, shutting down the critical Otukpo – Enugu highway. In a display of desperation and grief, the protesters marched directly to the palace of the Och’Idoma — the paramount traditional ruler of the Idoma kingdom, demanding immediate State and Federal government protection.
The unfolding crisis prompted an emergency intervention by the Benue State government, with the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode leading a high-level delegation to the affected area.
While commiserating with the victims, Ode insisted that local vigilantes alone cannot hold the line, calling on the Federal government to urgently establish a Joint Task Force (JTF) base in the area.
Security experts fear this latest bloodshed may be a reprisal as it comes barely three weeks after the State MACBAN Chairman, late Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate were killed, though the leadership of MACBAN has issued a statement dissociating the group from any attacks.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
