The Otukpo Local Government Council has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew following Tuesday’s deadly attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, which left more than 22 people dead.
The curfew, which runs daily from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., was announced by the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, after protests erupted in parts of the council area over the killings.
Ogiri said the restriction became necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order after intelligence reports indicated that some aggrieved youths planned to move the bodies of victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma in protest.
According to him, security personnel have been deployed to strategic locations, including the royal palace, to forestall any attempt to vandalise public property or disrupt peace.
“We are trying to ensure that no one takes advantage of the unfortunate incident to create further unrest. After consultations with community leaders, we agreed to impose a curfew from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. to restore calm and protect lives and property,” Ogiri said.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when suspected armed herders reportedly invaded the farming community, opening fire on residents and leaving scores dead and many others injured.
However, the Benue State Police Command said preliminary investigations showed that the attackers stormed the area to rustle cattle belonging to a resident, Peter Ambulus, before shooting at farmers and other residents while fleeing with the stolen livestock.
Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said officers were immediately deployed
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