Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have reportedly killed a former deputy rector of the Benue State Polytechnic, Ugbokolo in Okpokwu identified as Oche and Ephraim, a former Information Officer of Ukum council areas in Okpokwu and Ukum local government areas of Benue State at the weekend.
According to the Vanguard, the duo were reportedly killed on Friday and Saturday respectively.
It was reported that the one-time deputy rector was killed after being ambushed by the gunmen while driving along Otukpo-Enugu road with his wife.
The deceased had driven his personal vehicle to Otukpo town with his wife for a private engagement.
A lecturer at the institution who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “On Friday around 4pm, they ran into an ambush by the armed men who have been attacking motorists on that road almost on a regular basis.
“From what we gathered, he drove into the gunmen and they flagged him down. And they didn’t waste a minute, as he was stopping they shot and killed him.
“They also made attempt to kidnap his wife but because the security personnel who were not too far away from the point of the incident rushed to where the gun shots came from, the armed men on sighting the approaching military personnel fled into the bush abandoning the woman.
“I must tell you that the murder of the Engr. Enenche is one too many on that road. Only few months ago we also lost another lecturer to a similar incident aside the numerous travelers that ply that road that have either been killed, kidnapped or shot at by these gunmen.”
The second incident reportedly occurred on Saturday at Zaki Biam, Ukum LGA headquarters, when some gunmen allegedly entered the home of their victim and opened fire on the former council information officer.
The incident was confirmed by the immediate past chairman of Ukum LGA, Steve Ayua, who appointed Ephraim as council information officer.
He said the killers casually strolled into the man’s house and shot him in the stomach.
“I appointed him (Ephraim), Information Officer of Ukum LGA but I don’t know if the new chairman retained him or not but he was shot last night and was taken to a private hospital. Unfortunately, he didn’t get prompt medical attention and eventually passed on.
“The killer casually strolled into his house in Zaki Biam and shot him in the stomach,” he said.
