Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed a councillor-elect and his cousin in Ogbadibo local government area of Benue state.
Our correspondent gathered that the two were killed in the bush when they went after herdsmen who have been terrorising their area.
In protest, the youths went berserk and blocked the road, a situation which brought untold hardship to residents and commuters.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Ogbadibo local government council, Samuel Onuh said “There was a kidnap yesterday, Thursday. In the last three days now, the herdsmen have been troubling the area and there have been incessant kidnap in the local government.
“They left from one community in Owukpa and went towards Orokam. On their way to Orokam, they kidnapped one man.
“So, the councillor elect, since he lived in the village, was a hunter too. He and his cousin, with other hunters and the vigilante with Operation Zenda, entered the forest to see if they could rescue the man that was kidnapped.
“It was when they were to return yesterday that they noticed that two of them were missing. But they were able to arrest two of the Fulani.
“This morning when they went to check again, they saw their; councillor elect and his cousin, lifeless bodies, beheaded.
The chairman said the arrested herdsmen have been taken to Makurdi by Operation Zenda.
Mr. Onuh, who noted that the killings have led to a chaotic situation, said the traditional head of Owukpa and Orokam, Chief Ikwuje has been begging youths to unblock the road and allow authorities to wade in.
As at the time of writing this report, Mr. Onuh said things have been brought under control and the atmosphere has become a little bit calm.
Also confirming the killings, the Police Public Relations Officers, PPRO, Catherine Anene, said two of the kidnappers have been arrested.
“Yes, we received information about killing of two persons in Ogbadibo. They were attacked in the bush.
“On the kidnap, the information was reported to the police and the police went in, engaged them, rescued the victim. We will soon furnish the press with details.
