Bloody Clash Between APC,PDP Members Claims Four Lives in Benue

A prolonged inter-party squabble between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party ((PDP) in Ogobia, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State has claimed four lives, including a former Chairman of the PDP in the state, Major Lawrence Ugbo (rtd).

The former chairman and three others were last Wednesday morning reportedly killed in a bloody conflict between supporters of both parties.

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the local government area, Mr. Christopher Ogbleba and his son were also reportedly killed in the crisis.

The crises, according to an eyewitness, was a spill over of the bitter rivalry between a former Otukpo council chairman, Ijachi Udenyi, who is of the APC and his brother, Benjamin Udenyi, who is a PDP member, which also left several persons with bullet wounds.

According to the eyewitness, houses and vehicles were razed by the feuding parties while several persons, including women and children, have been rendered homeless just as many had fled the community for fear of being killed.

“The bloody crisis broke out in the community after some armed youths from Ugboju allegedly attacked a group of young men who were believed to be loyalists of the former council boss while they were holding a meeting with their supposed leader in the community.

“The aggrieved youths beat a retreat and mobilised for a reprisal and the ensuing bloody fight between the two bitter rivals led to the death and injury of many, including the retired military officer who was an APC chieftain and a former state chairman of the PDP,” he said.

Reacting, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Mr. George Alli, who in company of security operatives toured the devastated community, expressed shock at the level of destruction in the community.