Inspector, brother held for corpse seizure, attacks in Benue

The Police have arrested a serving officer, Inspector Ogbu Clement, and his elder brother, Isawa Ogbu, for allegedly leading a violent group of over 50 youths to seize a corpse and attack residents in two communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to a report filed by Dr. Pius Onwe Odengle of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, the incident occurred on November 28 at about 11:00 a.m. Dr. Odengle said he was transporting the remains of his late mother, Mama Lucy Inogwanya, from Makurdi to Ogyoma Village for burial when the attack took place.

Upon reaching the Ogyoma Village junction, Inspector Clement—who is attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja—allegedly led more than 50 youths from Adim Village to block the highway.

The group reportedly damaged a Benue State Civil Protection Guard vehicle, forcefully seized the corpse, and took it to Adim Village, where they buried it, claiming the deceased was their relative.

Sources said the violence continued the following day, November 29, at about 9:30 a.m., when the inspector and his brother allegedly mobilised youths again to Ogyoma, where they attacked residents, destroyed over 500 plastic chairs, smashed windows and doors, and inflicted injuries on several villagers.

The Divisional Police Officer in Otukpo, supported by patrol teams, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, NSCDC Agro-Rangers, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, responded to the scene.

Photographs of the damages were taken, and injured victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Police authorities confirmed the arrest of Inspector Ogbu Clement and his brother, adding that investigations are ongoing.