Herdsmen Crisis: Labour Party Ward Chairman Ambushed, Shot Dead

A Labour Party ward chairman in Benue State, Mr Nathaniel Ochoche, has been reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen at Ankpali village in Edikwu District of Apa Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that Mr Ochoche was among the four mourners killed at the weekend in an ambush that left many injured and several others missing.

The incident was confirmed in a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Tersoo Orbunde, noting that the deceased was the Edikwu Ward 2 Chairman of the party in Apa.

The statement reads in part; “It is with rude shock that the Benue State Secretariat of the Labour Party received the news of the gruesome murder of its Chairman in Edikwu Ward 2 in Apa LGA, Nathaniel Ochoche, who was ambushed and killed by armed Fulani militia.

“Until his death, Mr. Ochoche was a consummate party man who worked assiduously hard for the growth of his community, constituency and country both in words and works.

“While describing the incident of his death as one too many, the Benue State Executive committee of the Labour Party sends it deepest condolences to the wife, children and the entire family members of the deceased over this terrible and unfortunate incident.

“As a party, with people-centred programmes, we condemn in its totality the continuous callous acts of armed Fulani militia.

“We, therefore, call on the Federal and state governments, and all relevant authorities and stakeholders to rise up to the occasion of protecting the lives and properties of the people and stop the unwarranted killings by suspected criminal Fulani herdsmen.”