At least three people were reportedly killed and several others injured following a violent clash between local hunters and armed Fulani herdsmen at Okpomaju village, Okete Ward, in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident, which occurred on Monday during a hunting expedition, has sparked fear and tension among residents, forcing many, especially women and children, to flee the area.

Sources said the clash erupted when armed herders, believed to be new to the Okpomaju community, opened fire on a group of hunters on sight, killing two and injuring several others.

In retaliation, the hunters shot and killed one of the herders.

A resident, Oga Sunday, who narrowly escaped an attack, recounted how he was chased from his farm by an armed herder wielding a machete, leaving behind his harvested yams and other produce at the mercy of grazing cattle.

One of the hunters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said ?We were out on our usual hunting exercise on Monday when we encountered a hostile group of Fulani herdsmen. They opened fire immediately after they saw us, causing fatal injuries to some of our colleagues. We fired back in self-defence and managed to neutralise one of them while the others retreated.

?One of our colleagues, who was shot in the abdomen, was rushed to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical attention.?

The incident has heightened fears of possible reprisals, with residents of neighbouring communities, including Akpachi, Oboh, and parts of Ugboju District, reportedly abandoning their farms.

Confirming the incident, the traditional ruler of Otukpo, Och?Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye, said efforts were underway to de-escalate tensions, adding that he was scheduled to meet with leaders of the herders to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

Eimonye dismissed claims that the herders? actions were linked to alleged land purchases from local chiefs and residents, describing such reports as misleading.

Similarly, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, noting that proactive measures had been taken to prevent a recurrence.

?One of the resolutions reached is that leaders of the herders will identify and fish out any of their members found to be causing trouble. They have also promised to maintain a peaceful relationship with the people of Otukpo, as many of them were born and raised here,? Ogiri said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said she would reach out to the Otukpo Divisional Police Officer for details. (Punch)

Update news