Armed herdsmen in their continuous assault on Benue State communities have attacked Otobi Community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of the state, forcing residents to abandon their homes, farms and flee, SaharaReporters has gathered.
SaharaReporters reports that Otobi is the hometown of former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark, a retired Brigadier-General, served as the 12th President of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015 and was the longest serving Senate President.
Sources informed SaharaReporters on Saturday evening that the villagers, currently under attack, are now evacuating from their homes.
“Herdsmen are killing residents of Otobi in Otukpo LGA Benue State. They killed one last night and went round the community shooting. They are promising to attack again tonight,” a top source revealed.
“Villagers are evacuating. There is panic everywhere. This is same community where David Mark came from,” another source added.
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
SaharaReporters during the week reported that some gunmen killed two persons and abducted 13 passengers near the Otukpo Burnt Bricks area in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The development was confirmed by the management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited in a statement issued by the company’s Information Officer, Johnson Daniel.
He had said efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted passengers.
Confirming the incident, the Police Spokesperson for Benue State, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, had acknowledged the attack and stated that more details would be provided soon.
“A kidnap incident involving a Benue Links vehicle has been reported. More details will be made available shortly,” she had said.
© SaharaReporters
