A retired Major General in the Nigerian Army was yesterday reportedly killed by the yet to be identified gunmen following a crisis between some hoodlums in Ogobia in Otukpo local government area Benue South senatorial district.
The Major General identified as Lawrence Ugbo was said to have been killed alongside seven others, while scores of others who were reported to have sustained varying degrees of injuries were left in the pool of their blood during the deadly clash.
Major General Lawrence Ugbo who was reported to have been killed in a crisis which broke out in the district, was the state chairman of the now opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state during the George Akume administration; and also a Senior Special Assistant to immediate past governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam in his first tenure.
A reliable source from Otukpo local government who however pleaded anonymity told said the deceased was burnt by the assassins in his private car who also proceeded to his residence and set it ablaze, adding that valuable items were reportedly eaten up by the conflagration.
According to the source, “there has been a lingering crisis between the one-time caretaker chairman of Otukpo local government council, Mr. Benjamin Ijachi Ude and his younger brother in Ondo village of Ugboju”.
“The crisis led to the loss of several lives and burning down of houses in the last two years”.
“The hostility was renewed today (Wednesday) with the killing of Major Lawrence Ugbo and many others in Ogobia”, the source said.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu confirmed the incident.
Yamu said that the deceased was killed following a long standing discord between the duo of Benjamin Ude and the retired Major General.
The PPRO said four people were killed while four others sustained deep gun shot injuries, adding the police are on the trail of those who escaped while an investigation is going on.
