Tension in Benue Community Following Murder and Beheading of Resident by Suspected Herders

A wave of fear has gripped the Ikobi community in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State following the brutal killing and beheading of a local resident by suspected armed herders.

The victim, identified as Ojoma Emie, was a patent medicine dealer operating in the area. Local sources reported that the attackers intercepted Emie while he was riding his motorcycle back from Ugbokpo, the local government headquarters, where he had gone to purchase pharmaceutical supplies for his shop. He was ambushed near the Ugbobi Junction a location residents describe as notoriously dangerous for travelers. The assailants killed Emie and severed his head before fleeing the scene.

The Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adams Ochega, confirmed the incident, stating that the victim was targeted and beheaded along the transit route.

When contacted regarding the development, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, indicated that she was yet to receive an official report on the murder.

The Apa local government area has experienced recurrent security challenges, with frequent attacks on communities attributed to suspected armed herders. The latest killing follows a similar incident in April, where four individuals were ambushed and killed at Ankpali village within the same local government area while returning from a burial ceremony.