Suspected herdsmen kill health worker in fresh Benue attack

Suspected herdsmen have reportedly ambushed and killed a health worker identified as Ojoma Emie in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Monday morning along the Ikobi–Ugbokpo road, a route residents say has become increasingly unsafe due to repeated attacks.

According to reports, Emie, a father of three who lived in Oloke, Ikobi, was returning from Ugbokpo town where he had gone to purchase medication when he was attacked. He was allegedly ambushed at Ugbobi Junction, a location within the Ikobi–Olegogba axis that locals describe as a known flashpoint for armed attacks on travellers.

Sources said the assailants macheted him to death, severed his head and fled with it, leaving his headless body in a pool of blood.

The corpse was later discovered by residents of the community.

Confirming the incident, the Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, Dr. Edoh Ofugocho, told TheLeader that residents became alarmed after hearing multiple 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,” Ofugocho said.

He added that Emie was a health worker in the community and was married with children before his tragic death.

Ofugocho lamented that Ikobi had been subjected to repeated attacks by suspected herdsmen, alleging that little or no effort had been made by the relevant authorities to adequately protect residents.

He lamented, “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.

“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.

“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 disclosed that the deceased had since been buried and called for urgent security measures to end the persistent killings in the area.

“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,” Edo added.