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Tragedy struck in Benue State on Monday as a newlywedded man, Jonathan Uko, and his friend, Ogoda Gabriel, were killed by yet-to-be-identified assailants in Ulam community, Gwer East Local Government Area.
Naija News reports that the two men, both of Igede descent from Oju LGA, were riding a motorcycle from Oju to Makurdi when they were ambushed and killed.
Residents said their bodies were recovered in Ulam, a Tiv-speaking area with no known history of communal clashes with the Igede people.
A resident, Adia, said Jonathan had married on August 2, only to be brutally murdered two days later.
“The wife of Gabriel, who was also killed, recently gave birth. This is devastating,” she told journalists.
While some locals who spoke with Daily Trust alleged that local militias carried out the killings, others blamed herders, claiming recent incidents of herders blocking roads and attacking travellers in the area.
“We are still trying to identify those behind this attack. There hasn’t been conflict between Ulam and Igede,” Adia explained.
Senator Moro, Governor Alia Condemn Killings
Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South, described the killings as “barbaric and lamentable,” calling for urgent security intervention.
“This is very unfortunate and lamentable. At a time when Benue people should unite against external aggressors, we are losing promising young men,” he said.
Governor Hyacinth Alia also condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to arrest the perpetrators within 48 hours.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia said, “Security reports indicated the two were travelling from Oju when they were attacked and killed in cold blood. Nobody has the right to invade another community or inflict harm under any circumstance.”
The governor also condemned a separate incident in the Nyifon community, Mbaikyongo Ward, Buruku LGA, where youths from the Mbayaka community allegedly launched an attack following a dispute linked to a boat mishap.
Describing both incidents as “uncalled for and unfortunate,” Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged communities to remain peaceful while investigations continue.
The post Benue Killings: Newly-Wedded Man, Friend Murdered appeared first on Naija News.
