Monarch, 2 others killed in Benue community

A traditional head of the Igbobi community and two persons have been killed by armed invaders in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. 

Locals told our correspondent that the incident happened on Monday, and as of Tuesday afternoon, a search was ongoing for missing people in the community. 

The National Chairman of Apa Development Association and state Chairman of Ikobi Community Development Association, Barrister Akpoko Eche, told our correspondent on the telephone that there was an attack at Igbobi community. 

“The community leader was adopted and killed along with two other persons; even as I speak to you now, I have just been informed that there are gunshots right now in the village, which means the attackers have remobilised and returned to the community this morning,” Eche said.

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State Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Galma, reacting to the development, maintained that he was just hearing about the attacks in those areas in Apa. 

Galma, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said, “The herders we were communicating with, most of them are in the riverine areas in Nasarawa, Agatu and Naka areas, so we don’t have people in Apa. We don’t know them (attackers). We don’t know where they come from.” 

Meanwhile, the state’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (rtd), confirmed the continued attacks on Apa people. 

Hemba said he received the information about the fresh attack, which claimed the life of the Igbobi traditional ruler on Monday night, noting however that security operatives have beefed up the area. 

Spokeswoman of the Benue Police Command, SP. Catherine Anene, did not respond to several calls and text messages put through her telephone. 

Meanwhile, the paramount ruler of Idoma people worldwide, Och’Idoma, Dr. John Eliagwu Odogbo, yesterday raised an alarm over the rising attacks and killings of people in Idoma land in Benue State. 

Odogbo, who said over 75 people have been killed in recent times by armed invaders, also condemned the latest incident, which claimed the life of the Chief of Igbobi in Apa on Monday.