Gunmen ambush Benue Assembly member’s convoy, kill former councillor

Armed men on Saturday ambushed the convoy of Prince Shimapever Jiji, the member representing Logo State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, killing a former councillor identified as Hon. Atindiga Tsebee.

The attack reportedly occurred at Anyiin, in Logo Local Government Area, as the lawmaker was returning from a condolence visit to Tombu Council Ward, where he had gone to sympathize with families of victims of a previous attack that left three people dead.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, who were in large numbers, opened fire on the convoy, instantly killing Tsebee, a former Councillor of Tombu Ward, and leaving several others injured.

A community source said, “The gunmen began shooting sporadically when they sighted the convoy at Anyiin, killing the former councillor on the spot and injuring many others.”

Chairman of Logo Local Government Area, Clement Kav, confirmed the incident and condemned the attack in strong terms. He called on security agencies to track down and prosecute those behind the ambush.

Kav said, “Our son came home to commiserate with families of those killed in last Thursday’s attack. I was supposed to join his entourage, but the governor summoned me for a meeting. Later, I received news that the lawmaker’s convoy was attacked at Anyiin on his way back.”

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene (or the identified PRO, if updated), for comments were unsuccessful as her phone line was unreachable at the time of filing this report.