The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiidi Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Igbu Terhemen, has been found dead after being allegedly attacked and abandoned in a bush near his residence. According to reports, Terhemen was discovered unconscious around 2am on Wednesday in a bush around the NNPC Depot, along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road, on the outskirts of Makurdi. He had left his residence on Tuesday evening to watch a local football match but failed to return home, raising concern among family members and friends.
A friend of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Terhemen was eventually found in the bush in an unconscious state but died before he could receive medical attention. The friend claimed that Terhemen may have been injected with an unknown substance before being abandoned, although the nature of the substance has not been established. Furthermore, Terhemen's phone was found on him, suggesting that robbery may not have been the apparent motive for the attack.
The NDC has condemned the death and demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. In a statement by its Benue State Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem, the party said Terhemen was reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums, who allegedly tied him with ropes and injected him with substances suspected to be poisonous before abandoning him near his residence. The party described Terhemen as a dedicated member whose contributions to the growth of the NDC in Benue would be missed.
The State Chairman of the NDC, Ohini Ojegbe, described the incident as a "broad-daylight evil" and called on security agencies to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. Ojegbe also urged the authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible for the alleged killing and ensure that they face justice. The incident has raised questions, particularly over an alleged needle-like injury found on Terhemen's body.
The NDC has reported another incident involving alleged political violence in Edo State, where the campaign office of its candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency, Frank Uyi Omosigho, was reportedly attacked. The attack allegedly occurred around 10pm on Tuesday in Benin City, with campaign posters, banners and other materials destroyed. Omosigho, who represents Oredo East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, said he was alerted by members of the community and visited the office around 11pm.
Omosigho said youths at the premises told him that unknown persons had entered the campaign office and destroyed the materials. The lawmaker appealed to youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence, warning that anyone caught violating the law would face the consequences. He said the campaign materials were intended to introduce candidates and political parties to voters, who should be allowed to make their choices independently.
The incident has been reported at the Aideyan Police Station, and the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services have also been informed. Omosigho urged NDC supporters to remain calm and continue their campaigns peacefully, saying the party would not be deterred by the attack. The party is yet to receive any official response from the police or other security agencies regarding the attack.
Key points
- NDC Chairman Igbu Terhemen killed in Benue state after alleged attack
- NDC condemns the death and demands investigation into the incident
- Another incident of alleged political violence reported in Edo State
