Benue Killings: Newly-Wedded Man and Friend Murdered Along Awajir-Oju Road
- Two Igede youths, including a newly-wedded man, were killed in a violent attack along the Awajir-Oju road in Benue State
- Conflicting accounts from locals point to either herders or militias as the perpetrators, sparking renewed security concerns
- Senator Abba Moro and Governor Hyacinth Alia have condemned the killings and called for swift action to bring the attackers to justice
Two young men of Igede descent were killed on Monday in a brutal attack along the Awajir-Oju road in Ulam community, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims, identified as Jonathan Uko and Ogoda Gabriel, were reportedly travelling on a motorcycle from Oju to Makurdi when they were ambushed and murdered.
Source: Original
Benue State violence claims lives of Igede youths
Local sources told our correspondent that the bodies of the deceased were recovered in Ulam, a Tiv-speaking area with no known history of communal clashes with the Igede people. While some residents alleged that local militias were responsible for the killings, others pointed fingers at herders, citing recent incidents of road blockades and attacks on travellers.
A resident of Oju, who identified herself as Adia, disclosed that Jonathan had only recently married on August 2 and was killed two days later. She added that Gabriel’s wife had just given birth.
“The Ulam community is not in conflict with the Igede. Previously, it was Bonta in Konshisha and Ukpute in Oju that had issues, but peace has been returning to the area. We are still trying to identify those behind this attack,” Adia said.
A Tiv resident from Gwer East, who declined to be named, maintained that herders were responsible for the attack. He claimed that herders had increasingly targeted travellers in the region.
Senator Moro and Governor Alia condemn killings
Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South senatorial district, condemned the murder of Jonathan and Gabriel, describing the act as barbaric. He stated that the killings occurred at a time when Benue people should be uniting against external threats. Moro urged security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted, and called on the Benue State government to intervene in the crisis affecting the Gwer/Konshisha/Oju axis.
Governor Hyacinth Alia also denounced the killings in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula. Alia confirmed that security reports indicated the victims were attacked while travelling from Oju. He further condemned a separate incident in Nyifon community, Mbaikyongo Ward of Buruku LGA, where youths from Mbayaka community in Kusuv reportedly launched an attack following a dispute linked to a boat mishap.
“These incidents are uncalled for and unfortunate. Nobody or group has the right to invade another community or inflict harm under any circumstance,” Alia stated.
The governor directed security agencies to liaise with traditional rulers and thoroughly comb the affected areas. He gave a 48-hour ultimatum to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging all communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding as investigations continue.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful, as spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet did not respond to calls or messages at the time of filing this report.
Source: Twitter
DSS asked to investigate Buhari's minister
Legit.ng earlier reported that the table seems to have turned against the minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, Senator George Akume, over his call to anti-graft agencies to investigate Governor Samuel Ortom.
Reacting to Akume's submission, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to quiz him over his alleged involvement in the Benue massacre, This Day reports.
Source: Legit.ng
