Residents of Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State have been thrown into shock and fear following the discovery of the decomposing body of a young girl inside a culvert near the Otukpo Rice Mill area.
The disturbing discovery, made earlier in the week, has caused tension among residents, who suspect the incident may be linked to ritual killing. Witnesses said some parts of the girl’s body appeared to be missing, raising further concerns about the motive behind the killing.
According to eyewitnesses, the corpse was already decomposing by the time it was found, suggesting it may have been dumped at the site several days earlier.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity described the scene as “horrific and unhealthy.”
“This particular corpse has been lying here for some time, maybe about five days,” the resident said. “I spoke with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), and they sent an officer to inspect the scene. I also called the local government chairman, who dispatched the supervisory councillor for health to the area. But the corpse is still there, and the smell is terrible. It’s not healthy at all.”
He added that the body was found in front of the Otukpo Rice Mill, a busy area usually frequented by traders and pedestrians, making the discovery even more alarming for residents.
The identity of the deceased girl has not yet been determined, and no family member has come forward to claim the body. Locals said they were living in fear as rumours spread that ritualists might be operating in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the incident, and no arrests had been made.
However, sources said police officers from the Otukpo Division had visited the scene and were working to remove the body for further investigation.
The gruesome discovery has once again drawn attention to the rising cases of ritual-related killings and violent crimes in some parts of the country. Similar incidents have been reported in other communities across Benue and neighbouring states in recent months, prompting calls for stronger community policing and intelligence gathering.
Residents are now urging security agencies to step up surveillance around Otukpo and other parts of the state to prevent a recurrence. Community leaders have also appealed to the state government and law enforcement authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.
Meanwhile, health officials have warned that leaving decomposing bodies in public areas poses serious health risks, including the spread of infectious diseases. They advised residents to report such discoveries promptly to relevant authorities for immediate evacuation and proper investigation.
