RismadarVoice Media, December 9, 2025
The Chairman of Ado Local Government Council of Benue State, Engr. Sunday Oche, has raised alarm over alleged rampaging of armed herders in some communities within his domain.
Oche maintained that innocent farmers and other members of the communities are being attacked and maimed… Adding that the latest was the attack on mourners in Ulayi axis.
He lamented that, in the last three days, armed herders went on the rampage in three communities of Ijigban, Ulayi and Utonkon, where they attacked mourners, farmers then inflicted severe injuries on no fewer than two persons, also went away with (3) three motorcycles.
He raised the alarm on Monday, December 8 while speaking with newsmen in Makurdi.
According to him, armed herdsmen in the span of (2) two days ambushed and attacked mourners who were taking a corpse from a mortuary at Igumale to their home town in Ulayi community for burial.
He added that the marauders succeeded in inflicting injuries on two persons – identified as, Hon. Philip Okpekwu and Dr. Benedict Ogaba, and carted away with their motorcycles
“The injury sustained by Philip Okpekwu was severe and we were able to convey him to general hospital in Igumale for immediate medical attention, all the bills sorted”
“However, there is no improvement and so, on Monday, he was referred to Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi.
“We have given those herders a hot chase to Akparata axis in Ulayi, where they devised a new strategy to attack my people”
However, serious surveillance is been mounted around Ijigban community and Ulayi corridor.
The one that happened in Utonkon axis yesterday, where the herders attacked farmers has be brought under control. The culprit were arrested, they have agreed to pay compensation for the crops they have destroyed.
“I am calling on the Federal Government in collaboration with the State Government to deploy more security personnel to areas where armed herders are threatening the peace of our people”, he said
Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet said she would get back to journalists on the matter.
Summarily, we are soliciting that, the security agencies, alongside Federal and State Government should work towards bringing back sanity to the LGA
