Benue: Traditional Ruler Killed, Over 50 Houses Burnt In A Community

Chief Okpe Denis Ijoko, the traditional ruler of the Ochoro community, was reportedly killed by gunmen during an attack in Benue State’s Oju Local Government Area.

During the incident, approximately 50 houses were apparently burned down and other important properties were reportedly damaged in a neighboring town, Ukpute.

In a talk with Daily Post, an indigene of the local government and senior lecturer at Benue State University, Dr John Ogi, verified the attack.

The lecturer, who said that the late chief was kidnapped before being slain by his kidnappers, related the occurrence to an ongoing crisis in the area between the Tivs and Igede tribes, claiming that the two tribes had been at odds for a year.

“This crisis has lasted for a year and the government is keeping deaf ears,” he said.

“Ochoro community wasn’t at war with any community. The chief was in his bathroom when those militias invaded his community and captured him alongside an eight-year-old child to an unknown destination,” he revealed.

The Benue State Police Command, Public Relations Officer, Anene Sewuese Catherine, said she was yet to receive the report.