Labour Party Chairman Killed by Suspected Herdsmen in Benue State

In a tragic incident in Benue State, Nigeria, Mr Sunday Oche, the Labour Party Chairman of Igumale Ward 1 in Ado Local Government Area, was killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

The attack occurred on Monday afternoon while Mr Oche was returning from his farm, accompanied by five others who managed to escape with serious injuries.

According to sources close to the incident, the group had gone to a farm in Igumale earlier in the day. On their way back, at approximately 4:30 pm, they were ambushed by armed herdsmen who were reported to be operating in the area.

The assailants flagged down the group of six, who were travelling on two motorbikes. Mr Oche, who was leading the group, was immediately shot and killed on the spot by the attackers.

A friend of the deceased, who requested anonymity, recounted the harrowing events. “There were six of them who went to the farm on two motorbikes.

hey were coming back about 4:30 pm when they ran into the ambush of armed herdsmen, who were all over the place in Ado LGA.

The armed herders flagged them down and immediately shot the Chairman, who was the first person they confronted, and he died on the spot.”

As the reality of the ambush set in, the remaining five individuals attempted to flee, sustaining serious injuries in the process.

In their desperate bid for survival, they abandoned their motorbikes and managed to escape from the scene.

Upon hearing the news of the attack, local youths mobilised and rushed to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the attackers had already fled, leaving behind the lifeless body of Mr Oche.

The deceased Chairman is survived by his wife and two children.

The body of Mr Oche was recovered, and arrangements are underway to conduct his burial on Thursday.

The injured survivors are currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital.

The Publicity Secretary of the Benue State Labour Party, Tersoo Orbunde, confirmed the incident and expressed his condolences.

He stated, “He is a Ward Chairman from Igumale, Sunday Oche. He went to his cassava farm and he was attacked and killed.

They have brought the corpse back. Our people have gone there to console the family, and we are waiting for them to arrange for his burial to see how we can come in. The matter has also been reported to the police for necessary action.”

Despite the severity of the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, disclosed that she had not yet received any formal report on the incident at the time of contact.

This delay in official response highlights the ongoing challenges in effectively addressing violent attacks in the region, which have become increasingly frequent in recent years.

The killing of Mr Oche has sparked outrage within the local community and beyond, as residents of Benue State continue to grapple with the threat of armed violence from suspected herdsmen.

The state has been a hotspot for clashes between herdsmen and local farmers, a conflict fuelled by disputes over land, grazing rights, and dwindling resources.

These tensions have led to repeated instances of violence, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of communities.

The tragic death of Mr Oche underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and conflict resolution initiatives in the region.

Community leaders and political figures are calling on the government to intervene decisively to curb the violence and bring the perpetrators of such heinous acts to justice.

The incident also serves as a grim reminder of the everyday dangers faced by rural farmers and local politicians who are often on the frontlines of these violent conflicts.

As the community mourns the loss of a dedicated leader, the call for justice and a sustainable resolution to the ongoing violence grows louder.

For the family of Mr Oche, the pain of losing a husband and father is immeasurable, and their loss is a stark reflection of the broader security challenges that continue to plague parts of Nigeria.

The need for peace and security in Benue State has never been more urgent, as communities strive to rebuild and protect their livelihoods amidst the ongoing threats of violence.