The traditional ruler Otukpo, Chief John Eimonye has decried the unprovoked attack on Okpomaju village of Otukpo town, the headquarters of Otukpo Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herders.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during a clash between local hunters and armed herders in which three people were killed and several others wounded.
This was contained in statement by the Secretary of Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole.
According to him, the monarch said despite all positive and non-kinetic approaches by the peace loving people of Otukpo kingdom to ensure that peace reigned in the land, the Fulani herders had chosen the path of war over a land that is neither theirs nor a common patrimony.
He said under his watch, the ancient Otukpo-Abaku kingdom will defend her land and people and will not succumb to any act of intimidation by the marauders.
While commiserating with the families who lost loved ones in Wednesday night’s attack, the Ochotukpo Odu said the loss is for himself first and the entire Otukpo people.
He called on security agencies and government at all levels to immediately rise up to the occasion, saying this should not be business as usual.
Chief Eimonye further stated that this was a time for concerted efforts towards defending the kingdom rather than giving room to cheap blackmails and rumors of people collecting money from the herders and ceding portions of Otukpo land to them.
He, however, said serious investigations were on to ascertain the truth or otherwise of such claims and invoked the highest deities of the land to deal with anyone, regardless of his position or social status, who had any knowledge of the Fulani attacks or participated in any deals with the Fulani.
He said no means will be spared in defending his people and their God-given land, and called for the greatest display of patriotism and a united front to stop the evil invaders.
Benue monarch bemoans herdsmen invasion, invokes deities on collaborators
