Fear and outrage have gripped the Ichama community in Okpokwu Local Government Area following the gruesome murder of a young resident, Obitiye, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The attack, which occurred in the dead of night, has reignited tensions and calls for urgent government intervention.
According to eyewitnesses, a group of six armed herdsmen, wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, approached a local shop with the intent of looting provisions and food items an act that has reportedly become routine in the area.
Unaware of the danger, Obitiye confronted the men, questioning their presence at such an hour. Moments later, he was heard exclaiming, “It’s Suleiman, Nana’s son!” before gunfire erupted.
His companions fled in terror as the gunmen continued shooting before vanishing into the nearby forest. When the gunfire subsided, they returned to find Obitiye lying in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe and repeatedly murmuring the name “Suleiman, Nana’s son” before succumbing to his wounds. Obitiye was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
News of the killing spread rapidly, igniting anger among residents. At dawn, local youths and hunters mobilized and stormed the forest settlement of the Fulani herdsmen, only to find it completely abandoned, indicating that the attackers had fled overnight.
The incident has been reported to the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, with residents demanding swift justice. The Ichama community has been plagued by rising violence allegedly linked to Fulani herdsmen, with at least three residents murdered since 2022.
Community leaders have intensified calls for the Benue State government and federal authorities to intervene, urging them to prevent the return of the herders. They argue that justice must be served to end the cycle of violence and protect innocent civilians.
Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), has condemned the attack, warning that continued government inaction could provoke further bloodshed and possible retaliation from locals.
“We cannot continue to live in fear. The government must strengthen security and ensure that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to justice,” he stated.
As tensions continue to rise, residents fear that without urgent intervention, the violence may escalate, plunging the community into further chaos. The people of Ichama demand answers and more importantly, action.