Following a recent kidnapping attempt at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba in Itobi, no fewer than five persons, including the house of assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa state constituency on the platform of the peoples democratic party in the 2019 general election, Igbabe Ochi, and four others, have been killed in another attack on Otobi community, in Otukpo local government area of Benue state
According to the report, the attack was foiled by the community volunteer guards commander, Ocheme Jackson, and his team, prompting a high security alert in the community
Local sources confirm that the community has been singled out by suspected herders for attacks, following the killing of thirteen persons on the 15th of April 2025 and another attack that claimed three more lives in May 2025
The sources further notes that, ” When the surveillance team from the railway crossing into Ijami part of Otobi pulled back to rest, at about 1.30am, the gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, stormed the community and started shooting, killing Five persons in the process and looted foodstuff and other valuables “.
The Otobi community development association, John Anyebe says, the attackers came through the railway station bridge from Ijami part of Otobi and headed to where the victims where sitting not far from the transformer junction.
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” Yes, the attack is carried out by suspected herdsmen who have been terrorizing our community, shooting one persons close to water board before heading to where Honourable Igbabe Ochi and Four others were seated and open fire on them, looting the stores around for food and other valuables”.
At the time of filing this report, the police public relations officer, Udeme Edet, is yet to respond to enquiries on the Otobi Killings
The lawmaker representating Otukpo-Akpa state constituency, Kennedy Angbo lament the persistent attacks on his constituency, noting that, traveller’s on a Benue links bus were attacked at Burnt bricks Otukpo where three persons were hospitalized from the incident
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