By Deborah Nnamdi
Five people, including former House of Assembly candidate Igbabe Ochi, have been killed in a fresh attack on Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack occurred at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, following a foiled kidnapping attempt in the same area on Sunday night.
Local sources said the attackers, suspected to be herdsmen, stormed the community after patrols by volunteers and youths had temporarily withdrawn. The gunmen reportedly shot the victims near the transformer junction and looted food and other valuables. Otobi has previously suffered multiple attacks, including the killing of 13 residents in April 2025 and three others in May 2025.
John Anyebe, President of the Otobi Community Development Association, described the attackers’ movements from the railway station bridge and lamented the repeated loss of lives. Benue State Police have not yet responded to the incident.
Kennedy Angbo, lawmaker representing Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency, called for increased intelligence and counter-operations, noting that travellers on Sunday were also attacked near Burnt Bricks, leaving three injured.
