Suspected herdsmen kill resident in fresh attack on Benue community

Suspected herdsmen kill resident in fresh attack on Benue community

By Benedicta Aboh

Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly launched a fresh attack on Rijo community in Ogege Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area, Benue State, killing a barbing salon operator and forcing several residents to flee. Many others were said to be missing after the incident.

The attackers were said to have stormed the community, located about six kilometres from Igumale, the Ado LGA headquarters, at about 5pm on Tuesday. The victim, identified as Mr. Thomas Edeh, an indigene of Effium in Ebonyi State, was shot dead while working on his farm. He had been living in Rijo, where he operated a popular salon at Idokpo Garri Market.

A community leader and former leader of the Ado Legislative Council, who spoke on condition of anonymity in Makurdi on Wednesday, described the killing as unfortunate. He alleged that herders had repeatedly stolen Edeh’s farm produce despite his persistent warnings.

“The herders have been stealing his yams. He kept warning them to stop, but the best they could do was eliminate him. Our people can no longer go to farms or markets. Children are afraid to attend school. Even riding motorcycles or bicycles to work in Igumale is risky because of fear of the unknown,” he lamented.

He appealed to the federal and state governments to urgently deploy additional security personnel to Ado LGA, particularly Rijo, to avert further attacks.

Efforts to reach the Chairman of Ado LGA, Mr. Sunday Oche, were unsuccessful as his mobile line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the Commissioner of Police had ordered an immediate investigation into the attack.

“The command is aware of the incident, and the Commissioner of Police has directed a swift investigation,” she stated.

Reacting, the member representing Ado State Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Lami Ogenyi, condemned the attack, describing it as “a cruel and unprovoked act against innocent citizens.”

Through her Chief Press Secretary, Samuel Atsonwu, she urged security agencies operating in the area to intensify efforts to protect lives and property and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. She also called for vigilance to prevent further occurrences.

Chief Ogenyi extended her condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for God’s strength to help them bear the loss.