Suspected herdsmen have ambushed and killed a health worker, Ojoma Emie, in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that Emie, a father of three who lived in Oloke, Ikobi, was returning from Ugbokpo town where he had gone to buy medicine when he was attacked on Monday morning at Ugbobi Junction along the Ikobi–Olegogba axis of the Ikobi–Ugbokpo road.
The location is reportedly known as a hotspot where armed herders frequently ambush travellers.
According to reports, the attackers macheted him to death, severed his head, and fled with it, leaving his body in a pool of blood. His remains were later discovered by residents of the community.
Confirming the incident, the Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, Dr. Edoh Ofugocho, said residents were thrown into panic after hearing multiple gunshots from the area.
“People heard about 10 to 15 gunshots and immediately became alarmed because they knew he had gone to Ugbokpo to buy medicine. Later, it was discovered that he had been attacked and killed at Ugbobi Junction,” he said.
He further described Emie as a community health worker who was married with children, adding that the area has continued to experience repeated attacks by suspected herdsmen despite repeated complaints.
Ofugocho lamented that the road had become a frequent ambush point, saying residents now live in fear and can no longer travel freely within their communities.
He also confirmed that the deceased has been buried and called on security agencies and the government to urgently intervene and end the persistent killings in the area.