The Labour Party Chairman for Igumale Ward 1 in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Sunday Oche, was ambushed and k!lled by suspected herdsmen.
The tragic incident occurred as he was returning from his farm alongside five others, who narrowly escaped with serious injuries.
According to Daily Post, a close friend of the deceased, who requested anonymity, said the attack took place on Monday when the group was on their way back from a farm in Igumale. The assailants, believed to be herdsmen, ambushed the group at around 4:30 pm.
“There were six of them who went to the farm on two motorbikes. They were coming back about 4:30 pm, when they ran into the ambush of armed herdsmen, who were all over the place in Ado LGA.
“The armed herders flagged them down and immediately shot the Chairman, who was the first person they confronted, who d!ed 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.
“On hearing the news of the attack, our youths mobilised and went to the scene of the incident, but the attackers had fled the scene leaving the body of the k!lled Chairman, who left a wife and two children.
“His body was recovered and plans are on to bury his remains on Thursday, while the injured five are currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the Benue State Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Tersoo Orbunde, stated that Oche’s body had been retrieved and was awaiting burial.
He said: “He is a Ward Chairman from Igumale, Sunday Oche. He went to his cassava farm and he was attacked and k!lled. They have brought the corpse back.
“Our people have gone there to console the family and we are waiting for them to arrange for his burial to see how we can come in. The matter has also been reported to the police for necessary action.”
When reached for comment, Police Public Relations Officer Catherine Anene mentioned that she had yet to receive detailed information about the incident.