Ojoma Emie, a health officer, was slain by suspected herdsmen in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area, Benue State.
On Monday morning, Emie, a father of three, was allegedly ambushed on his way back from Ugbokpo town, where he had gone to purchase medication. He was a resident of Oloke, Ikobi.
The attackers attacked him at Ugbobi Junction, along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis of the Ikobi-Ugbokpo route, according to sources who spoke with Daily Post.
According to locals, the area is infamous for having armed herdsmen waiting to ambush travelers. The attackers allegedly used machetes to kill him before taking off with his head.
Later, locals found his body.
Edoh Ofugocho, the vice president of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, confirmed the occurrence and stated that locals were startled after hearing gunfire from the vicinity.
Ten to fifteen gunshots were heard by our people. People knew he was heading to Ugbokpo to purchase medication, so they were nervous right away. He was later found to have been attacked and killed at Ugbobi Junction, according to Ofugocho.
He also mentioned that Emie was married, had kids, and worked in the community as a health worker.
Ofugocho bemoaned the fact that suspected herdsmen had repeatedly attacked Ikobi. He charged that the appropriate authorities had not adequately protected the locals.
“We are extremely concerned that this specific route has become a recurrent ambush point for suspected herdsmen,” he added. Within their own neighborhoods, our people are no longer able to travel freely on roadways.
“It is tragic how he was slain. The assailants killed him, cut off his head, and took it with them. It’s hard to understand this degree of savagery.
“Attacks on our people have happened before. The attacks continue despite our repeated calls for increased security. Locals are now always afraid.
The deceased had been buried, according to Ofugocho. He urged the government and security services to act quickly to put an end to the local killings.
He continued, “We urge the government and security agencies to take immediate action to secure our communities and bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice.”
