The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, CESJET, has raised a passionate appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun over the alarming state of insecurity in Otukpo and its surrounding communities in Benue State.
In a letter signed by its Executive Secretary, Ikpa Isaac, CESJET lamented the rising spate of violent crimes in the area, including murders, kidnappings, and armed robbery, which have left residents gripped with fear and uncertainty.
The centre highlighted several recent incidents that underscore the gravity of the situation. These include the gruesome murder of Chief Onche Akatu and the abduction of two individuals from his residence in the Asa 2 area on 31 March 2024; the killing of five persons in Okpomoju community by suspected herdsmen earlier in the year; the brutal murder of Mrs Felicia Ochigbo in the Old NTA area on 30 March 2025; and the killing of a Benue Links driver and the kidnapping of 14 passengers along the Ikobi route on 3 April 2025.
A series of armed robbery attacks in various parts of the local government were also noted.
CESJET also referenced past high-profile incidents such as the daylight assassination of retired Col. Ochefu in the late 1990s, the 20 October 2023 coordinated bank robbery involving five banks and police command, and the assassination of Barr Mark Offikwu on 20 November 2024.
“These continuous attacks have created a climate of fear, paralysed economic activities, and severely disrupted community life, with ripple effects on the national economy,”; the centre stated.
According to CESJET, the current police strength in Otukpo is grossly inadequate to address the growing security challenges in the area. It called on the Inspector-General to take immediate steps to restore law and order in the region.
