No fewer than seven persons, including a police sergeant, have been reportedly killed by gunmen in Okpoga, the headquarters of Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, on Saturday night.
Witnesses disclosed that the hoodlums, numbering about 10 stormed the town and started shooting at anyone in sight.
The Okpoga attack was said to have led to the death of seven persons. Mr Okoh Simon, an emergency ambulance service worker who lived in the city centre, also lost his life in the attack.
A source hinted that the attack might not be unconnected with the five-year conflict between Ollo community in Edumoga district of the same local government and the Okpoga people.
“We have been in this cold war with the Edumoga people for the past five years. All efforts by security agents and other government officials to settle the rift have proved otherwise,” he said.
The bodies of the victims have been deposited at the Okoga General Hospital mortuary.
Confirming the report, the state police public relations officer, DSP Moses Yamu, said six persons, including a police sergeant, were killed in a beer parlour in the area.
“Sporadic gunshots were heard at a beer parlour around Okpoga roundabout yesterday at about 9 pm. Our men swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, which forced them to flee.
“However, six persons, including a police sergeant who was in mufti, were killed in the beer parlour before the police arrived at the scene.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the yet-to-be-identified gunmen were from Ollo community, led by one Matthew. The investigation has since commenced unravelling the motive behind the attack,” Yamu said.
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, Mr Ene Okon, has ordered the Area Commander to relocate to the area, as teams of Operation Zenda, PMF and CTU have been drafted to Okpoga to ensure that the culprits are identified and arrested.
