From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A community health worker identified as Ojoma Emie, has been ambushed, and beheaded by suspected armed herders in Ikobi community, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
The ugly incidence happened on Monday morning at Ugbobi Junction, a notorious flashpoint along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis of the Ikobi-Ugbokpo road, where residents say armed herders frequently ambush travellers.
Emie, a father of three and resident of Oloke, Ikobi, was said to be returning from Ugbokpo town, headquarters of Apa local government area where he had gone to purchase medicine, when the attackers ambushed and killed him.
A local who spoke with our correspondent on phone in Makurdi, said that the assailants attacked him with a machete, severed his head and fled with it, leaving his headless body in a pool of blood.
The executive chairman of Apa Local Government Council, Mr. Adams Ochega confirmed the incidence to journalists on phone.
He said that the armed herders made away with the head while his corpse was later discovered by residents of the community.
“Emie was on his way from Ikobi to Ugbokpo when the killers ambushed him and beheaded him.”
Equally confirming the incident, the Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, Dr. Edoh Ofugocho, said residents became alarmed after hearing several gunshots from the area.
“Our people heard gunshots about 10 to 15 times. People immediately became apprehensive because they knew he was on his way to Ugbokpo to buy medicine. Later, it was discovered that he had been attacked and killed at Ugbobi Junction,” he said.
Ofugocho described the killing as heartbreaking, noting that the deceased was a dedicated health worker, husband and father whose death has thrown the community into mourning.
He lamented the recurring attacks along the route, alleging that suspected herdsmen had turned the road into a dangerous ambush point for residents and travellers.
“We are deeply worried that this particular route has become a recurring ambush point for suspected herdsmen. Our people can no longer travel freely on roads within their own communities,” he said.
“The manner in which he was killed is heartbreaking. After taking his life, the attackers severed his head and fled with it. This level of brutality is difficult to comprehend.”
According to him, the latest incident is part of a growing pattern of attacks that have left residents living in fear.
“This is not the first time our people have come under attack. We have continued to cry out for improved security, but the attacks persist. Residents now live in constant fear,” he added.
The community leader disclosed that the deceased had since been buried and appealed to security agencies and the government to take urgent steps to secure the area and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We call on security agencies and the government to take urgent steps to secure our communities and bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice,” Ofugocho said.
