Three suspected herdsmen have been arrested in connection with the brutal attack that claimed the lives of 11 persons in Otobi community, located in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed the arrests while briefing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday. He expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the state and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend all those involved in the attacks.
The governor further revealed that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has pledged to deploy additional security assets to Benue to help curb the renewed wave of violence, particularly in the Otukpo axis.
Alia stated that security personnel have already been deployed to the affected area, and the three arrested suspects are currently being investigated for their roles in the Otobi killings.
The member representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, confirmed that nine corpses were recovered on Tuesday night, with two more discovered by Wednesday morning—bringing the total number of fatalities to eleven.
The Otobi community, home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam, has now suffered two attacks in April alone. Just days before the latest massacre, a security guard was killed at the dam site.
In response to the tragedy, Governor Alia dispatched his deputy, Samuel Ode, on an assessment visit to the affected community. Ode conveyed the government’s condolences to the bereaved families and assured residents of the administration’s commitment to restoring peace and security in rural areas.
During the visit, Ode also made cash donations for immediate relief, while the Benue State Emergency Management Agency was directed to conduct a needs assessment and provide emergency assistance to affected families.
The Otobi incident is the latest in a disturbing series of attacks along the Otukpo-Ado Road corridor, stretching from Okpamaju through Asa One and Asa Two, down to the Ebonyi State border.
