Benue health worker killed, beheaded in suspected herdsmen ambush, community raises alarm over insecurity

By Johnson Arua

Residents of Ikobi community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State have been thrown into mourning following the killing of a health worker and father of three, Ojoma Emie, who was allegedly ambushed and murdered and beheaded  by suspected armed herdsmen.

The incident occurred on Monday morning at Ugbobi Junction, a notorious flashpoint along the Ikobi–Olegogba section of the Ikobi–Ugbokpo road, where locals say travellers have repeatedly come under attack.
According to community sources, Emie, a resident of Oloke in Ikobi, was travelling to Ugbokpo to purchase medical supplies when he was attacked. His body was later discovered by residents near the junction.

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the area as increasingly unsafe, alleging that armed herders had established hideouts along the route and regularly target travellers.

“The road from Ikobi to Ugbokpo is no longer safe. That area has practically been deserted because of the activities of armed herdsmen,” the source said.

“Several communities along that axis have been abandoned. In Akete, for instance, many residents have fled for their lives. People now rely on security escorts and often move in groups before travelling through the area.”

The source further claimed that the latest killing marked the fifth deadly attack recorded at the same location.

Confirming the incident, Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, Dr. Edoh Ofugocho, said residents became alarmed after hearing multiple gunshots from the direction of Ugbobi Junction.

“Our people heard gunshots about 10 to 15 times and immediately became apprehensive because they knew he was travelling to Ugbokpo to buy medicine,” Ofugocho said.

“Later, it was discovered that he had been attacked and killed at Ugbobi Junction.”
Describing the incident as devastating, Ofugocho said the death of the health worker had left the entire community in grief.

“He was a dedicated health worker, a husband and a father whose death has deeply affected the community. We are deeply worried that this particular route has become a recurring ambush point for suspected herdsmen,” he said.

“Our people can no longer move freely within their own communities. This is not the first time we have witnessed such attacks. We have continued to cry out for improved security, but the violence persists.”

He noted that residents now live in constant fear as attacks continue unabated across the area.

According to Ofugocho, the deceased has since been buried, while community leaders have renewed calls for urgent intervention by security agencies and government authorities.

“We call on security agencies and the government to take immediate steps to secure our communities and ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice,” he appealed.

Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Mr. Adams Ochega, said the victim was attacked while travelling between Ikobi and Ugbokpo.
“He was on his way from Ikobi to Ugbokpo when the killers ambushed and murdered him,” Ochega stated.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not yet received information about the incident.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Benue South, where residents have repeatedly complained of violent attacks and restrictions on movement due to the activities of armed groups.