A security guard was reportedly killed late Friday night by suspected herdsmen at the Otobi Dam, located in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack is the latest in a spate of violent incidents that have rocked the Otukpo axis in recent weeks, raising concerns over increasing insecurity in the region.
Confirming the incident, the lawmaker representing Otukpo/Akpa State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Angbo Kennedy, expressed grave concern and called for immediate action to halt the violence.
“This is becoming too much, a guard was killed this evening at the Otobi dam by herdsmen. Please let’s watch out for each other. We must resort to self help,” he stated.
As at the time of filing this report, the identity of the slain guard had not been officially released, and no arrests had been made in connection with the killing.
Residents of the area have renewed their calls on the Benue State Government and security agencies to intensify surveillance efforts and deploy additional personnel to rural flashpoints, especially around critical infrastructure such as the Otobi Dam.
The Friday night killing adds to a troubling pattern of violence in Otukpo LGA. Earlier this year, similar attacks were recorded in Okpomaju, Okete, and Asa communities, resulting in multiple deaths and displacements.
The incident also follows closely on the heels of another tragic episode on Thursday, when gunmen hijacked a fully-loaded Benue Links bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road. That attack left two people dead and 13 passengers abducted, further highlighting the escalating insecurity in the area.
