Benue Shock: Police Inspector, Brother Arrested for Leading Youths to Seize Corpse and Assault Village

A serving police inspector in Benue State and his elder brother have been taken into custody after allegedly mobilising more than 50 youths to seize a corpse and launch coordinated attacks on residents in Otukpo Local Government Area.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed the incident on X, detailing how a burial procession turned violent on 28 November.

Burial Procession Interrupted at Village Junction

Trouble reportedly began when Dr Pius Onwe Odengle of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital was transporting the remains of his mother, Mama Lucy Inogwanya, from Makurdi to Ogyoma Village for interment.

At the Ogyoma junction, Inspector Ogbu Clement — attached to Zone 7 Police Headquarters in Abuja — allegedly blocked the road with a group of youths from Adim Village.
The group was said to have vandalised a Benue State Civil Protection Guard vehicle, forcibly taken the corpse, and buried it in Adim, claiming the deceased was related to them.

Fresh Violence Erupts the Next Day

Sources told reporters that on the morning of 29 November, the inspector and his brother, Isawa Ogbu, again mobilised youths to Ogyoma, where they allegedly destroyed property and assaulted residents.

More than 500 plastic chairs, windows, and doors were damaged, while several villagers were injured in the attack.

Security Agencies Respond, Suspects Arrested

The Divisional Police Officer in Otukpo mobilised a joint team comprising police operatives, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, NSCDC Agro-Rangers, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.
Photographic evidence was collected at the scene, and injured residents were taken to hospital.

Police authorities confirmed the arrest of Inspector Clement and his brother, noting that a full investigation is underway.

The Benue incident has sparked widespread concern, with many questioning how a serving police officer could allegedly orchestrate such an operation.