Suspected armed herdsmen are currently on rampage in parts of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State particularly the Ikpomilokpo community in Ogege ward where the assailants recently attacked a palace.
It had been reported that palace of the clan head of the community, Chief Micheal Oche was on Monday attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen who killed his son, Thompson Oche and also abducted one of his daughters.
A resident of the community, Adah John who spoke to our correspondent from the community yesterday, said the entire village is still under tension following the attack on the palace.
He said, “Our markets and farms have been shut down since the incident occured on Monday. There is tension everywhere as no one knows when these herdsmen will still come into the community to attack us.
“We no longer sleep at night because that is when they usually launch their attacks on us. Our vigilantes are doing their best but the kind of weapons this herdsmen always use, I doubt if the military men have such”.
The Ado Local Government Chairman, Chief James Oche told DAILY POST on Saturday that the kidnapped victim has been released by the assailants after One Million Naira (N1000,000,0000) ransom was paid.
“The kidnappers started with Hundred Million Naira but after much negotiation, they accepted One Million Naira,” he said.
When asked if there is still tension in the community, the council boss said, “Of course, there is still tension. You know that when something like this happens, people will be afraid to step out of their homes.
“The residents are scared of going to farm because of fear of another attack. Recently, we have been under attacks from herdsmen and armed bandits.
“There is a lot of investigation going on with the security agencies in the local government currently and I hope that at the end of the day, they will come up with a very good result”.
DAILYPOST
