By Egbe Attah, Otukpo
At least three persons have been reportedly killed with property worth millions of naira destroyed in Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government of Benue State.
The Voice gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday as result of a disagreement between two communities of Odoba and Obu in Otukpa Disrict.
A resident of the area who spoke with The Voice on condition of anonymity confirmed the incident.
He said three young men were murdered following an altercation among the youths at a birthday party at Odoba at the weekend.
The informant maintained that apart from the killings, the violence also resulted in the destruction of property and burning of houses by the two disputing communities.
All efforts to get a confirmation from the Divisional Police Officer for Otukpa, on the matter failed, as his telephone number was not responding as at the time of filing this report.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DCP Catherine Anene, however, said she was yet to be briefied on the incident while promising to get back to the press when that was done.
However, the District Head of Otukpa, Chief Sunday Ekele, confirmed the development to The Voice and asked his subjects to remain calm as the police were already handling the matter.
He used the medium to restate the ban on large public gathering in the district, especially at dusk.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State, Senator Abba Moro has condemned in strong terms, the outbreak of violence between Odoba and Obu communities.
a statement by Senator Moro’s Special Assistant on Print and Electronic Media, Ameh Godwin, quotes his principal as describing the mayhem as very unfortunate and retrogressive.
The Senator charged the warring communities to sheathe their swords and let the law take charge as to do otherwise will lead to further avoidable bloodshed.
The senator called on relevant security agencies to move to the area to avoid further escalation of the crisis even as he urged the youths of the area and Benue South at large to always find a better way of resolving their disputes instead of resorting to violence.
