Benue: Gunmen murder traditional ruler, wife, son

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

At least five persons, including a traditional ruler, his wife, his son, and two others, have been killed by gunmen at the Olegabulu community in the Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

A source from the community told newsmen via telephone that four individuals, who arrived on two motorcycles, entered the residence of the traditional ruler and shot him at close range. The assailants also shot two members of his family before fleeing the scene.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the assailants remain unknown.

The source, who requested anonymity, said: “The assailants were not Fulanis because at the time they alighted from their motorcycles, they exchanged pleasantries with people around in our dialect.

“So, nobody envisaged they were enemies, but as soon as they entered the traditional ruler’s house and shot, everyone scampered for safety.

“The assailants operated for almost 20 minutes; after the traditional residence, they still moved to the next house and killed two people.

“One other person sustained injuries; thereafter, they ran away.”

The Chairman of the local government, Melvin Ejeh, has confirmed the incident.

Ejeh told newsmen by telephone that five people were killed and one person was injured, adding that police officers in the area had visited the scene of the incident.

He said: “It’s true the incident happened; five people were killed and one person injured during the attack.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive the information.