Gunmen invade palace in Benue, kill traditional ruler’s son, abduct daughter

Unknown gunmen invaded palace of the clan head of Ikpomilokpo in Gege ward, Ado Local Government Area of Benue State, Chief Michael Oche, killed his son and abducted his daughter.

The gunmen stormed the community at about 2 am on Monday, November 14 and went straight to the residence of the clan head, while firing warning shots.

It was gathered that after they forced their way into the premises of the clan head, they forcibly entered the house and met his son. 

The chairman of the local government, James Oche, who confirmed the incident said that he received a distress call from the area in the early hours of Monday.

“I was told that some gunmen at about 2:00 am (Monday) entered into the home of the clan head of Ipomoloko through the fence and asked for his wife from the son. I was told that the young man told them that he did not know the whereabouts of his mother and they shot him dead after which they now took his sister, Rose, away,’ the chairman said.

“I immediately alerted troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) but before they could get to the place, the gunmen had escaped to Atiga forest around Okpokwu LGA,’ Oche said, adding that the troops were still on the trail of the gunmen at the time of this report,”

The council boss, in a statement he later posted on Facebook gave the name of the deceased son of the traditional ruler as Thompson and the abducted daughter as Rose.

“I write with indescribable grief to commiserate with the family of Chief Michael Oche, the Clan Head of Ikpomilokpo Clan of Ogege Ward of Ado Local Government over the attack on his Palace which occured in the early hours of today,” the statement read. 

“It is sad that the unfortunate incident led to the death of his son, Mr. Thompson Oche and the abduction of his daughter, Rose Oche. This is a most unconscionable, inhuman and barbaric act and I condemn same in its entirety,” 

The council boss further assured at the Local Government Council is working assiduously with the security agencies, the state government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe release and return of the abducted Rose Oche within limited time.