Three suspected herdsmen have been arrested in connection with the deadly attack on Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State that claimed 11 lives.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this on Wednesday, April 16, while speaking to journalists at the Government House in Makurdi.
He described the resurgence of violence as troubling and urged security agencies to “track down the perpetrators.”
According to the governor, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has pledged to deploy more security assets to the state, especially to the Otukpo axis, where attacks have intensified in recent weeks.
“Three suspected herdsmen have been arrested in connection with the Otobi killings,” Alia stated, while confirming the deployment of more security personnel to the affected area.
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Kennedy Angbo, the member representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the State Assembly, said nine corpses were initially recovered on Tuesday night, with one more found in a hard-to-reach location later that evening. By Wednesday morning, additional bodies were discovered, bringing the total to 11.
The latest attack has shaken the state, particularly as it is the second time this month that Otobi community—home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam—has been targeted. Just days before, a security guard was killed at the dam site in a separate incident.
Earlier in the week, Deputy Governor Samuel Ode visited the community on an assessment tour, offering condolences and some financial assistance to victims.
He also confirmed that the state emergency management agency has been directed to conduct a needs assessment and provide urgent relief.
The Otobi massacre adds to a disturbing pattern of attacks in the country, especially in Benue and Plateau States.