Bandits have killed two farmers in a fresh attack on the Umogidi community in the Entekpa Council ward of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Two other community members were injured and another was abducted by the bandits in the renewed attack, said to be aimed at displacing the people from their ancestral home.

According to locals, who did not want to be named, the deceased recently fled their homes due to a similar attack but decided to go to their farms in Umogidi when they were killed on Tuesday.

The other three were also said to be on their farms when the bandits attacked them and whisked away one of them while the other two were reported to have been injured.


One of the locals who spoke to journalists on the phone on Thursday said, “They (bandits) are now demanding N5m as ransom for the kidnapped victims.

“All of these victims are IDPs who went to fetch food in their farms and were attacked by the same armed herders who chased them away from home in the first place.”

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat with journalists on Thursday, the Caretaker Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Alfred Oketa Omakwu, said the victims were IDPs who went to the farm on Tuesday but were attacked.

He confirmed the killing of two people, adding that the bandits again attacked another village, Upu in Otukpo on Wednesday but were repelled by soldiers who engaged them in a gun battle from the afternoon until 7 pm.

The chairman noted that there was no record of death in the Wednesday attack because of the swift response by soldiers.

Omakwu said, “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.

“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 on 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.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the police spokesperson, Catherine Anene, were not successful as her phone line did not connect.

Godsonkemz:
Why can't the security wipe these fulani bandits out or are they above the law.

CHARLOE:
Insecurity is 1 of d major causes of skyrocketing food prices. Bandits keep kidnapping n killing farmers, d farmers are scared of going to their farms for fear of their lives. Yet these blood thirsty bandits/terrorists are treated with kids gloves when caught. Why is our security always reactive instead of been proactive? Why wait for them to attack B4 reacting? Why not make use of Hi-Tech security devices n intelligence gathering to exterminate these terrorists once n for all?? So many questions with very few answers

Chukwuka319:
What is going on with Benue state? It's not only Fulani herdsmen that are plaguing the state.Now bandits have also joined the foray.

Proudlyngwa:


Please sir can you kindly explain how we can make use of this security device and intelligence gathering in being proactive

Proudlyngwa:


Please sir can you kindly explain how we can make use of this security device and intelligence gathering in being proactive

mosho2good:
*How I wish we can write down these and paste them by our bed sides to memorize, and cross check our lives regularly!*
*-To be rich, - Give.*
*-To succeed, - Serve.*
*-To laugh, - Make someone laugh.*
*-To prosper, - Be honest.*
*-To excel, - Be faithful.*
*-To go far, - Get up early.*
*-To change someone, - Change*
*yourself.*
*-To be great, - Be disciplined,*
*-To be strong, - Pray often.*
*-To do a lot, - Speak little.*
*-To be fruitful, - Praise God.*
*-To live well, - Forgive.*
*-To talk well, - Bind anger.*
*-To sleep well, - Work hard.*
*-To be loved, - Love.*
*-To be a good husband, - Listen to her.*
*-To be a woman, - Submit yourself.*
*-To be respected, - Be polite.*
*-To bind Satan, - Sanctify yourself.*
*-To grow in faith, - Meditate on the word of God always.*

Wakolord:


Surveillance should not be on foot only, heavy air surveillance, jet flyers , assault drones, 24 / 7 going round that perimeter, oyinbo wey dey use Chopper chase car dey mad?, air surveillance is number one to map out all activities in that perimeter.

any entry point from all cardinals should be excessive met with security.

that is why all these good countries have satellites.

Proudlyngwa:


Stop watching sci-fi