Suspected Herdsmen Kill Benue Health Worker, Flee With Head

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

Emie, a father of three, was reportedly ambushed on Monday morning while returning from Ugbokpo town, where he had gone to buy medicine. He lived in Oloke, Ikobi.

Sources who spoke with Daily Post said the attackers ambushed him at Ugbobi Junction, along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis of the Ikobi-Ugbokpo road.

Residents described the area as a notorious spot where armed herders allegedly lay in ambush for travellers. The assailants were said to have killed him with machetes before fleeing with his head.

His body was later discovered by residents.

Confirming the incident, the Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, Edoh Ofugocho, said residents became alarmed after hearing repeated 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.

Ofugocho lamented that Ikobi had suffered repeated attacks by suspected herdsmen. He accused relevant authorities of failing to provide adequate protection for residents.

He further stated, “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.”

Ofugocho said the deceased had been buried. He called on security agencies and the government to take urgent action to stop the 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,” he added.