Again, suspected herders kill barber in fresh attack on Benue community

By Peter Duru

Makurdi—Suspected armed herdsmen have launched a fresh attack on Rijo community in Ogege Council Ward, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a barbing salon operator, identified as Mr. Thomas Edeh, and displacing several residents. Many persons were also reportedly missing following the incident.

The assailants reportedly invaded the community, located about six kilometres from Igumale, headquarters of Ado council, about 5p.m., on Tuesday.

Edeh, an indigene of Effium in Ebonyi State, had been residing in Rijo where he operated a barbing salon in the popular Idokpo Garri Market. He was said to be on his farm when he was attacked and shot dead.

A community leader and former leader of the Ado Legislative Council, who spoke to journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday on condition of anonymity, described the killing as unfortunate, alleging that herders had repeatedly stolen the victim’s farm produce despite his warnings.

“The herders have been stealing his yams. He persistently warned them to stop, but the best they could do was to eliminate him. Our people can no longer go to farms or markets. Children are afraid to attend school. Even riding motorcycles or bicycles to work in Igumale is risky because of fear of the unknown,” he said.

He called on government at all levels to urgently deploy more security personnel to Ado council, particularly Rijo community, to prevent further attacks.

Efforts to reach the Chairman of Ado council, Mr. Sunday Oche, were unsuccessful as his mobile line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Udeme Edet confirmed the incident.

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