Reprisal attacks by Fulani elements following the killing in Otukpo three weeks ago of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association Chairman in Benue State Ardo Risku continued in parts of Benue State. In a dawn attack Sunday they attacked Otukpo nobi, reportedly in large numbers. Eight persons, one a three year old whose head was shattered while on the back of his fleeing mother, and another seven year old who was butchered while sweeping the frontage of the local church. Also, 90-year old clan head of Ai-Ochaikpigwu, Chief Ebegidi Ukwenya was reportedly shot in the arm and stomach while twenty other persons reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries. Among the dead is a pregnant woman who was at advanced stage of pregnancy. The victims were allegedly taken to the Och'Idoma's palace. Angry youth of the area later blockaded the Otukpo federal highway almost leading to another confrontation with military personnel but no ugly incident was recorded. Some of the youth said they were angry because security agencies in Otukpo were informed of the impending attacks about three days prior but their warnings were ignored. It took the intervention of the Och'Idoma calmed the youth. Sunday's dawn attack marks the third in the series against Benue indigenes since Risku's killing even as police authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the MACBAN Chairman. Earlier, a former Secretary to the Government of Benue State Prof. David Salifu was ambushed and killed near Wukari on the Benue - Taraba border. Shortly after, another Professor, Godwin Nyityo, a lecturer at Moses Orshio Adasu University (MOAU) Makurdi was also killed alongside his brother. The killing of the two Professors has led to speculations that the Fulani invaders have adopted a new modus operandi, shifting from attacks on rural farmers to the deliberate assassination of Benue intelligentsia. Prof. Wilfred Uji gave vent to this trend of thought when he rold The Mandate in a phone interview, "The murder of these two prominent Benue sons may be mere coincidence and a stroke of fate, but is it possible to construct parallels between the two killings given that they were both well coordinated and backed up by some distant potentate?" Meanwhile, in a statement by his Chief Press Secreatary Tersoo Kula, Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed "profound sadness and the strongest condemnation following the early morning attacks. The Governor called on Benue residents to remain vigilant, saying: "We urge every citizen to cooperate with the police and military by providing timely and credible intelligence. Security is a collective responsibility, and your information is a vital tool in our defence." In the wake of Ado's killing in Otukpo, several bodies including the Mdzough u Tiv, Tiv Youth Organization as well as prominent legal minds like Prof. Sebastine Hon and Oscar Aorabee severally warned against reprival attacks but no one seems to have adopted any preemptive measures.

Posted: 1month ago

Author: Editor in Chief

Current date: 14 August 2026