suspected Herders kill Labour Party Ward Chairman, injured others in Benue

By David Odama

Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have reportedly killed Sunday Oche, the chairman of Labour Party, in Igumale Ward1 in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, .

Our correspondent gathered that the incident took place at about 4:30pm last Monday, September 2, 2024.

It was gathered that Oche had gone to farm in company of his peers when they were ambushed by the herders who shot at them and killed him while five others escaped with gun injuries.

A source closed to the late party chairman who pleaded anonymity told jiurnalists in Makurdi that Oche went to the farm in company of five other persons on motorcycle when the attack occured, adding that the deceased and others went to assist a widow in her farm when they were ambushed on their way back.

“The herders barricaded the road and opened fire on them leading to the death of the party chairman.Those who went to the farm with the chairman came home with serious injuries saying they were attacked by armed herders who equally took their two motorcycles.

“Ogaba one of those attacked told me that Sunday my junior brother was unlucky because immediately they (herders) stopped us, he was the first person to drop from the motorcycle and they shot at him. There, it done on them that these people ambushed them.

“It happened yesterday at about 4:30pm. Youths from the ward went and removed the corpse and deposited it at Mogul hospital in Igumale at about 7:30pm yesterday.

“When the youths went to the scene of the incidence, unfortunately the attackers had gone leaving the dead body. They brought the body home and we have taken those injured to the hospital.

“We are looking at Thursday this week to bury the corpse. The deceased left two children and a wife. This a terrible and unfortunate incident that has happened to my family”, the deceased brother lamented .

“Government must rise to address this herdsmen militia attacks on Benue Communities” he stated

When contacted the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer PPRO SP Catherine Anene said she was not aware of the incidence yet.

The Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Tersoo Orbunde, has confirmed the incident saying the body has been recovered and waiting for burial.

He said ” Yes, he is a Ward good Chairman from Igumale, Sunday Oche. He went to his cassava farm and he was attacked there and they killed him. 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 burial and we see how we can come in.”

He said the police had been notified for action.