A former caretaker chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Udeh Ijachi, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen in a late night attack in Otukpo town.

Ijachi, popularly known as “Ukpem”, was reportedly killed on Thursday night at the premises of a hotel where he was lodging in Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idoma-speaking people of the state.

Residents said the assailants opened fire on him at about 9.30pm and fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the killing might be linked to unresolved issues in the deceased’s Ondo village in Ugboju-Otukpo LGA.

“I gathered he was trailed from his village yesterday. The man had not been going to the village for a long time, but people said he travelled there on Thursday. It is possible the assailants followed him to Otukpo town and killed him,” the source said.

The incident occurred barely five months after his younger brother, Ejeh Udeh, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, was murdered in a similar manner in September 2025.

Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident to journalists in Makurdi on telephone, calling for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Yes, I got the news. It happened yesterday evening. He (the deceased) was at the premises of the hotel where he lodged. He stepped out of his room when the attackers moved close to him and started shooting. They fired three shots and left immediately.

“It was not very late, so many people were still around. The attackers fired gunshots to disperse the crowd, mounted their motorcycle and fled.

“I cannot say whether he had issues with anyone, but a similar incident happened to his younger brother last year. The brazen manner in which he was killed is shocking, painful and unacceptable. This is the position of the council. We pray and urge security agencies to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing so that such incidents do not happen again,” Ogiri said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, told journalists in Makurdi that she would provide a response later. (Daily Trust)

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