Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have k!lled one Mr. John Ajaka and abducted his daughter and two other teenagers in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victim, who hailed from Ogwule Ankpa village in Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward, was brutally k!lled while working on his farm.
His daughter, identified as Miss Owakoyi John, and two other teenagers at other farms were whisked away by the gunmen.
The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Hon. Melvin Ejeh, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, October 22, expressed outrage over the herdsmen’s actions.
Ejeh described the actions as callous, despicable, and wicked, vowing that perpetrators whom the security agencies are currently in hot pursuit of would be tracked down and brought to justice.
The Chairman, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), in Benue State, condoled the family of the victims, assuring them of immediate safe return of their abducted family members.
Hon. Ejeh reassured the people of Ogwule in particular and Agatu in general of their security.
He said the authority of the Council is closing in on the criminal elements, vowing that the abducted girl and others would be released soon.
The Chairman called on the people to maintain calm and remain peaceful, adding that in spite of the unprovoked actions, they should not take laws into their own hands.
He assured them that painstaking measures were being taken by his administration to end their lingering security issues.
“Today, we received information and confirmed the m8rder of one Mr. John Ajaka of Ogwule Ankpa Village in Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward on his farm by suspected herdsmen,” the statement read.
“After his gruesome murder, his daughter, Miss Owakoyi John, and two other teenagers were also taken away by the criminal herdsmen.
“The security agencies were quickly mobilised and are in hot pursuit of the criminal elements.
“We want to reassure the people of Ogwule and the people of Agatu that we are closing in on the criminal elements, and the abducted girl and others would be released soon.
“Let us all maintain calm and be peaceful, as we assure you of the quickest end to all of our lingering security issues.
“May the soul of Mr. Ajaka rest in peace, and our good Lord grant his family their fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. I assure them of the safe return of their family member back home.”