Bandits Kill Two IDPs In Benue

Bandits killed two IDPs on their fields in Benue State’s Umogidi settlement, Entekpa Council Ward, Otukpo Local Government Area.

Locals who spoke with journalists on Thursday, April 11, 2024, stated two more farmers were hurt and one was kidnapped by the bandits.

According to reports, the victims had recently evacuated their ancestral houses following a similar incident but had opted to return to their fields in Umogidi when they were slaughtered on Tuesday, April 9.

The other three were also alleged to be on their fields when the bandits attacked and stole one of them, while the other two were reported to be hurt.

“The bandits are now demanding N5 million as ransom for the kidnapped victim. All of these victims are IDPs who went to get food on their farms and were attacked by the same armed herders who chased them away from home in the first place,” one of the locals said.

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Alfred Omakwu, the caretaker chairman of Otukpo LGA, stated that the victims were IDPs who attempted to farm on Tuesday but were attacked.

He claimed that the bandits attempted to attack another village, Upu, in Otukpo on Wednesday but were repulsed by soldiers who engaged them in a gun battle from the afternoon until 7 p.m.

“The IDPs are camped in St. Charles Primary School, while most of them as they are going to their farms to fetch farm produce, rented one room for their family to stay in Adoka central,” he said.

“They (victims) left Adoka where they were taking refuge and went to their farms at Umogidi when they were attacked. Two of them were killed.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), there was another attack in Upu village. They (armed invaders) opened gunfire in the village, the soldiers were there, so they engaged them and chased them to the bush. They exchanged gunfire till 7 pm, and they (armed invaders) ran away. There was no casualty.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli