Benue Security Crisis Deepens: Former Otukpo LGA Chairman Assassinated by Gunmen!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (journalist) | Sele Media Africa
Gunmen have shot and killed a former local government leader in Benue State, highlighting the escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. On the night of March 5, 2026, suspected armed assailants opened fire on Honourable Udeh Ijachi, the former caretaker chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), in Otukpo town. The attack took place in front of Okabido Hotel, where Ijachi was reportedly standing when the gunmen discharged their weapons and fled the scene.
Residents of Otukpo expressed shock as news of the killing spread. Eyewitnesses described the assailants as operating with precision before disappearing into nearby areas. As of now, security agencies have not released an official statement on the attackers’ identities or motives, and investigations are reportedly at an early stage.
The assassination of Ijachi, a well-known figure in local political circles, comes amid a series of violent incidents across Benue State, particularly in Otukpo and neighbouring communities. Recent months have witnessed coordinated raids that have claimed civilian lives, exacerbating long-standing anxieties over armed banditry and herder-farmer conflicts in the region.
Just weeks prior, gunmen killed a former House of Assembly candidate and four others in Otobi community, also in Otukpo LGA, underscoring the persistent targeting of political figures and residents alike. Similar attacks in previous years including mass killings and abductions have drawn national condemnation, highlighting the challenges that insecurity poses to everyday life and regional stability.
Security analysts and community leaders in Benue have repeatedly warned that such attacks reflect deep-rooted security challenges, fueled by armed criminality, land disputes, and inadequate protection for vulnerable populations. Without swift and coordinated intervention by state and federal authorities, tensions are likely to escalate further across both rural and urban areas of the state.
Sources:
DailyPost Nigeria: Benue: Gunmen kill former Otukpo LG chairman, Udeh Ijachi
Linda Ikeji’s Blog: Gunmen assassinate former Benue LG chairman
The Whistler: Gunmen Kill Ex-PDP Assembly Candidate, Four Others in Benue
Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
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