April 26, (THEWILL) – Gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen militia, have attacked Opaha community, Edikwu Ward 2, in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, killing at least 15 persons including a military officer.
A native of the community told newsmen in Makurdi, that the slain soldier was the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in that area.
Opaha village is home of the State Commissioner of Finance, David Olofu.
Olofu, who confirmed the incident, said over 15 people were killed including an army officer.
“Yes, they just went to my community and killed people unprovoked, over 15 people were killed including the Commander of OPWS in that area.
“To the best of my knowledge, there was no issue. That place borders Gwer West LGA, and all the communities around that axis have been consistently attacked; one community after another.
“This is a peaceful community where the people don’t look for anybody’s trouble, the attackers went to the community around 4 pm. As I am talking to you now, the whole community has been sacked.
“Since the beginning of this year, there have been harvests of killings along that axis and the places are deserted. People cannot go to their farms, they cannot do anything. And then, they remain in their home and you come to their homes and kill 15 people in one day including the military personnel that are deployed there to secure the place.
“If the military can just be killed like that then what about the people, what else can we do if we deploy the military and they are killed, who else are we going to send beyond the military?” he queried.
He noted that Opaha village is 10 kilometres from Umuogidi community, where over 50 people were killed earlier this month, saying the military has been deployed to the area to maintain law and order.
The Finance Commissioner, who noted that the situation is beyond an individual, the community, the LG and the state, stated that the three tiers of government need to come together and have a policy on the issue, “that you cannot just come and kill somebody and get away with it and nothing happens to anybody.
“It is so sad that in the face of all these efforts to try to provide the little you can for the people, all these are happening. This is sad.”
The Public Relations Officer of Operation Whirl Stroke, Flight Lt Flogh Oquoh, told newsmen that the OPWS Commander had gone to the scene of the attack.
Also, Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the report but said she does not have the details yet.
