Prince Maxwell Ogiri, the Otukpo Local Government Area Chairman in Benue State, has issued a call for a collective response to address the surge of violence in his jurisdiction. During a visit by the press to express sympathy for recent assaults attributed to armed herders, Ogiri urged a unified effort among traditional leaders, security forces, and the community to restore order.
The chairman emphasized a new policy for the area: strangers are prohibited from camping in forests or on agricultural land. He insisted that anyone wishing to settle in Otukpo must do so within established residential zones, noting that the community needs to clearly identify and vet all individuals. While he clarified that they are not barring anyone from residing in the area, he stated that the days of unchecked bush habitation are over.
Ogiri highlighted the historical peace of Otukpo, the Idoma traditional hub, noting that the current climate of fear and restricted farming is unprecedented. He explicitly rejected the narrative that these incidents are simple farmer-herder conflicts, characterizing the events instead as targeted, organized violence by armed bandits. He concluded by calling for heightened vigilance and cooperation from all residents to combat these criminal activities.
