Gunmen kill traditional ruler, wife, son, two others in Benue

Gunmen have killed five people, including a traditional ruler, his wife, son and two others, in Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when the assailants stormed the community around 8pm.

A local source from the community told our correspondent that four persons who rode on two motorcycles entered the residence of the traditional ruler and shot him and two members of his family.

The source, who did not want to be named, said, “The assailants were not Fulani because, at the time they alighted from their motorcycles, they exchanged pleasantries with people around in our dialect.

“So, nobody envisaged they were enemies, but as soon as they entered the traditional ruler’s house and opened fire, everyone scampered for safety.

“The assailants operated for almost 20 minutes. After attacking the traditional ruler’s residence, they moved to the next house and killed two people.

“One other person sustained injuries before they fled.”

The Chairman of the local government, Melvin Ejeh, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Friday, said five people were killed and one person was injured, adding that police officers in the area had visited the scene.

“It’s true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person injured during the attack,” Ejeh said.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive the report.

“I am yet to get the report, but I am still waiting for it,” Edet said.