Suspected Herders Behead Medicine Seller, Flee With Severed Head as Fear Grips Community

 Suspected Herders Behead Medicine Seller, Flee With Severed Head as Fear Grips Community

June 9, 2026

Residents of Ikobi community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State have been thrown into fear and mourning following the gruesome killing of a local patent medicine seller, identified as Ojoma Emie, by suspected armed herders.

The shocking incident, which occurred on Monday, has once again highlighted the worsening security situation in parts of Benue State, where communities continue to grapple with recurring attacks and violent killings.

According to local sources, the victim had travelled to Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa Local Government Area, to purchase medicines for his business before tragedy struck on his return journey.

A resident of the area, who identified himself simply as Sam, told journalists that Emie was ambushed by armed assailants while travelling on a motorcycle along the notorious Ugbobi Junction axis.

"Mr. Ojoma had gone to Ugbokpo to restock his medicine shop. While returning to Ikobi, he was attacked by armed men suspected to be herders. They killed him on the spot, severed his head and took it away," Sam said.

The resident described the attack as one of the most disturbing incidents witnessed in the area in recent times, adding that the location where the murder occurred has become a dangerous hotspot for violent attacks against travellers and commuters.

According to him, residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the insecurity along the route, but little has been done to prevent further bloodshed.

The killing has sparked outrage and renewed fears among community members, many of whom now worry about their safety while travelling between villages and nearby towns.

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Apa Local Government Area, Adams Ochega, expressed sadness over the brutal murder and called for urgent action to address the growing insecurity in the region.

"He was travelling between Ikobi and Ugbokpo when the attackers ambushed him. They killed and beheaded him before fleeing the scene," Ochega stated.

The council chairman lamented the continuous attacks on innocent residents and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to track down those responsible and prevent future occurrences.

As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said the command had not yet received an official report regarding the incident.

The latest killing has further deepened concerns over the persistent violence in Apa Local Government Area, one of the worst-hit regions in Benue State's long-running security crisis.

Communities across the area have repeatedly suffered attacks allegedly carried out by armed herders, resulting in numerous deaths, displacement of residents, and destruction of livelihoods.

The incident comes barely weeks after another deadly attack in the same local government area. In April, at least four mourners returning from a burial ceremony were reportedly ambushed and killed by suspected armed herdsmen in Ankpali village, located in the Edikwu district of Apa LGA.

Residents say the repeated attacks have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, with many farmers abandoning their farmlands and families living under constant threat of violence.

Community leaders are now calling on both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable communities and ensure that perpetrators of these attacks are brought to justice.

As investigations continue, the gruesome killing of Ojoma Emie stands as yet another painful reminder of the security challenges confronting rural communities in Benue State, where residents say they are increasingly losing confidence in their ability to live and work without fear.