Benue: Suspected herdsmen ambush motorcyclist, kill one in Edikwu Ankpali

Suspected armed herders have killed a commercial motorcycle operator, popularly known as an okada rider, and brutally attacked his female passenger at Edikwu Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon while the victims were travelling from Adoka town in Otukpo Local Government Area to the popular Odugbo Market in Apa LGA.

A local source said the motorcycle rider and his passenger left Adoka at about noon, unaware that armed men had laid an ambush along the Edikwu Ankpali axis of the road.

According to the source, the assailants suddenly emerged from nearby bushes, blocked the road, and targeted travellers heading to the market.

“It was a market day, and the woman was rushing to Odugbo Market to make purchases before closing time,” the source said.

He explained that the attackers forcefully stopped the motorcycle, dragged the rider down, and killed him instantly.

“The rider was killed on the spot, while the woman was beaten severely and left in a pool of blood. The attackers later fled back into the bush,” he added.

The source further disclosed that youths from Edikwu Ankpali community arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and discovered that the woman was still alive.

She was subsequently rescued and rushed for medical attention, while the remains of the slain motorcycle operator were recovered by residents.