Gunmen kill ex-Otukpo LG Chairman six months after brother’s assassination

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By Peter Duru

The former Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, Mr Udeh Ijachi, has been killed by suspected gunmen in a late-night attack that has heightened tension in the community.

Ijachi was reportedly shot dead on Thursday night near a popular hotel in Otukpo town, the headquarters of Otukpo LGA.

His death comes barely six months after his brother, Ejeh Udeh Ijachi, was also killed by gunmen in Ogobia-Ugboju, also in Otukpo LGA.

According to a source in the area, the former council chairman was attacked around 9pm by armed men believed to have trailed him to the location. The assailants, who reportedly arrived on a motorbike, allegedly waited near the hotel before striking.

“It appeared to be a well-planned attack; the gunmen waited for him at a spot close to the hotel where he was likely lodging. When they sighted him, they approached and shot him at close range before fleeing the scene,” he said.

He disclosed that the sound of gunshots reportedly sent panic through the area, forcing residents and passersby to flee for safety.

“The gunshots caused serious panic. People ran in different directions. When some residents later went closer to check what happened, they found him lying in a pool of blood,” the source added.

He said the deceased was rushed to a nearby hospital by concerned residents, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The killing has sparked anxiety across Otukpo town, with many residents expressing fears that the incident could be connected to ongoing rivalries among political or local interest groups in the area.

“As we speak, there is palpable tension in Otukpo. Some people believe the killing may be linked to long-standing disputes among different camps in the area. There are also claims that he had been staying at the hotel for safety before his attackers eventually tracked him down.

“We are appealing to the security agencies to dig deeply into this matter. It is important they act quickly so that the situation does not spiral out of control,” the source urged.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the murder, saying, “I got the news yesterday night that he was in the premises of the hotel where he lodged, and he stepped down from his room, and the assassin moved to him closely and shot him three times.

“After shooting him, the assailant also began to shoot in the air to scare people away since people were still outside. As the people scampered, the attacker took his motorbike and zoomed off.”

The Chairman, who said he would not speculate on the reason for the murder, said, “I recall that a similar incident happened to his immediate younger brother last year.

“The brazen manner the former chairman was killed is shocking, condemnable and unacceptable. And we pray and urge security agencies to be on top of the situation to avert a reoccurrence. It is one assassination too many already in our town.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she would get back with details but had not done so at the time of this report.