Another suspected armed bandit attack leaves barber Dead, many missing in Benue Community

Editor from Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Suspected armed bandits again, launched a renewed attack on another community of Rijo, Ogege Council Ward of Ado Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, killing barber identified as Thomas Edeh, several others displaced and many said to be missing

It was gathered that the armed marauders attacked the community located six kilometres of Igumale town, headquarters of Ado LGA on Tuesday at about 7:10pm.

It was further learnt that the victim, an indigene of Effium community in Ebonyi State but resident in Rijo community and operating Barbing business in the popular Idokpo Garri market.

A former leader of Ado legislative council, who hailed from the axis told journalists on phone in Makurdi, on Wednesday on condition of anonymity, that the victim was also a great farmer and was attacked and shot dead by the armed Fulani herdsmen right in his farm.

“It’s very unfortunate, Fulani has been stealing his yams. He had persistently warned them to stop, but the best Fulani can do is to eliminate him.

“This young man was attacked and shot dead in his farm at Rijo, Ogege Ward, Utonkon District, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, by Fulani herder.

“Don’t we, as a nation, need security assistance at this stage of our history in Nigeria?

“Now, our people can no longer go to farm or market. Children are afraid of going to school, even to ride on motorcycles or bicycles to work at the council secretariat in Igumale, is very risky because of the fear of the unknown.

“Iam calling on government at all levels to do something about this security issues. More security personnel should be deployed to Ado particularly in Rijo community to avert further attacks”, he said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Ado Council chairman, Mr. Sunday Oche proved abortive as his phone number couldn’t connect as at the time of filing this report.

But when contacted, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the incident, saying that the command has commenced investigation into the attack and killing of the victim.

“The command is aware of the Incident and the Commissioner of Police has directed immediate investigation into the Incident”, she said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Chief Mrs. Lami Danladi Ogenyi, on Wednesday, condemned the attack on Rijo community by suspected Fulani herdsmen resulting to the death of one person.

She however called on security agencies in Ado local government area to intensify efforts in protecting the lives and property of residents.

Chief Mrs. Ogenyi who is representing Ado State Constituency at the state house of assembly, explained that she was completely saddened by the report of a suspected herdsmen attack on Rijo Community in Ogege Council Ward of Ado LGA on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, during which one person was reportedly shot dead while working on his farm.

While condemning the attack in strong terms, the state lawmaker described the attack as “a cruel and unprovoked act against innocent citizens going about their lawful activities.”

The deputy speaker in a statement by her chief press secretary, Agbaji Samuel Atsonwu, urged security operatives to urgently conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The statement further charged security agencies to remain vigilant and proactive to prevent a recurrence of such attacks in the area.

While expressing her deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, Chief Ogenyi prayed God to grant them the strength to bear this painful loss.