Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has revealed that the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, has promised to deploy more security assets to the State to tame the renewed wave of attacks in the state, especially the Otukpo axis.
Alia also announced the deployment of security personnel to the affected area, with three suspected herdsmen arrested in connection with the Otobi killings.
The suspected herdsmen have been arrested following the attacks that led to the killing of 11 persons at Otobi community in Otupko Local Government by suspected herdsmen.
Governor Hyacinth Alia disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
He expressed worry over the situation and called on security agencies to track down the perpetrators.
According to the member representing Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, nine corpses were recovered Tuesday night, followed by one in a hard-to-reach area later that evening.
By dawn yesterday, other corpses were found, bringing the total number of fatalities to 11.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the state, particularly because the Otobi community—home to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Dam—has now come under assault twice this April.
A security guard was previously killed at the dam site just days before this latest massacre.
Earlier, the governor sent his deputy, Samuel Ode, on an assessment tour to the devastated community.
He offered condolences to the grieving families and reassured residents of the state government’s commitment to tackling the spate of violent attacks across rural areas.
Ode also made some cash donations to carter for some immediate relief while the state emergency management agency has been tasked to move in for needs assessment and provide emergency response to those in need.
The attack on Otobi is the latest in a disturbing string of assaults along the Otukpo-Ado Road, from Okpamaju to Asa One and Asa Two down to the Ebonyi State border.
Meanwhile, the police, yesterday said two high-profile suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings in Bokkos Local Government Area and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations.
“The Nigeria Police Force is diligently working to uncover the motives behind these attacks, identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the killings,” the statement read.
As part of efforts to stabilize the security situation in the state, the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, to take charge of all police operations in Plateau State.
Following this directive, the DIG has led a team on aerial surveillance missions over the Bokkos and Bassa areas and is currently engaging local stakeholders in a confidence-building effort.
“After a comprehensive review of the security operations, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel and resources to Plateau State to enhance rapid response and patrol high-risk areas,” the Force added.
The police have also begun on-the-ground assessments to determine the most strategic deployment of these operational resources aimed at preventing further violence.