Gunmen Kill PDP Chieftain, Traditional Ruler In Benue

There was pandemonium in Kastina-Ala town of Benue State yesterday when gunmen believed to be political thugs, shot and killed a chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Atoza Ihindan.

Also, some unknown gunmen on, Monday, shot and killed the Tor Geri of Katsina-Ala town. Tor Geri is the mayor of the area.

The PDP leader, Chief Atoza was the political godfather of former Governor Gabriel Suswam and chairman of the PDP Elders’ Forum in the Benue Northeast senatorial district. There was riot in the town as shops and other businesses were shut.

The ugly incident occurred at about 1pm yesterday when the elder-statesman visited his site to inspect a building project located along Katsina-Ala-Takum Expressway.

It was further gathered that the deceased party chieftain had gone to his village near Sai in Katsina-Ala LGA and was returning to the town when the gunmen ambushed his vehicle and shot and killed him on the spot.

The state’s police public relations officer, ASP Austin Ezeani who confirmed the death yesterday, said “The PDP chieftain went to inspect his site on the outskirts of the town when two gunmen came on motorcycle and shot him dead. The policeman attached to the PDP man opened fire on the gunmen but was overwhelmed by the attackers.”

According to Ezeani, the PDP chieftain went to inspect his parcel of land that was encroached upon by some locals after which, he retired under a tree in front of the place when the gunmen stormed the place.

He said the assailants escaped and the corpse of the deceased PDP chieftain has been deposited in the Katsina-Ala hospital mortuary. He added that investigation into the matter is ongoing.