Tragedy struck in Igumale Ward 1 of Ado Local Government Area in Benue state as the Labour Party Chairman, Mr. Sunday Oche, was reportedly murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
The deceased was shot dead in an ambush while returning from his farm with five others, who escaped with serious injuries.
A friend of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed the details of the incident.
“They were six of them who went to the farm on two motorbikes. They were coming back around 4:30pm when they ran into the ambush of armed herdsmen who are all over the place in Ado LGA,” he said.
“The armed herders flagged them down and immediately shot the Chairman who was the first person they confronted. He died on the spot. When others realised it was an ambush, they tried to escape, but the five of them also sustained serious injuries. Though they eventually escaped, abandoning their motorbikes.”
The source added, “On hearing the news of the attack, our ward youths mobilised and went to the scene of the incident, but the attackers had fled the scene, leaving the body of the killed Chairman, who left a wife and two children. His body was recovered, and plans are on to bury his remains on Thursday, September 5, 2024, while the injured five are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the Benue state Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Tersoo Orbunde, said, “He is a Ward Chairman from Igumale, Sunday Oche. He went to his cassava farm and he was attacked and killed. They have brought the corpse back. Our people have gone there to console the family, and we are waiting for them on the arrangement for his burial to see how we can come in. The matter has also been reported to the police for necessary action.”
However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, said she was yet to receive information on the matter.
