A commercial driver identified as Igba Agenewe has been killed by suspected armed men along the Anyiin-Ayilamo road in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Three soldiers who were travelling in Agenewe’s vehicle were also reportedly abducted during the attack.
Agenewe, a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Wurukum branch, Anyiin section, was said to be heading back to Makurdi from Anyiin on Monday when the assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on his vehicle.
The attack has reportedly plunged members of the transport union and the deceased driver’s colleagues into mourning.
Agenewe, who operated from Wurukum Park in Makurdi, had earlier driven his Sharon bus to Anyiin with passengers before beginning his return journey.
A union member, Iorember Tser, said Agenewe had been cautioned against using the Ayilamo route because of the deteriorating security situation in the area.
Tser said, “When he got to Anyiin, he wanted to return to Makurdi. Some drivers told him that the road was not safe because of the prolonged suspected herder-farmer crisis in Ayilamo, which is a 10-minute drive from Anyiin. He, however, insisted on returning to Makurdi, saying, ‘I just passed through the road.’”
Agenewe was later said to have picked up three passengers believed to be soldiers before proceeding towards Makurdi.
According to the union member, the vehicle came under attack after passing through Akwana, a community on the route to Ayilamo.
However, Tser said, “When he passed a town called Akwana, heading towards Ayilamo, unknown gunmen emerged from the bush and shot him. He died on the spot.
“The three soldiers were abducted but later regained their freedom and returned to Anyiin.”
The incident has renewed fears among motorists and commuters travelling along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari road, particularly the Ayilamo section, which has experienced security concerns associated with the prolonged conflict in the area.
The owner of the Sharon bus, Mr Aondona Tyulen, described the incident as unfortunate and appealed to security agencies to identify and arrest those behind the killing.
Tyulen also urged the authorities to step up security measures along the route to protect motorists and commuters and ensure that the perpetrators face justice.
As of the time of filing this report, Agenewe’s remains had been deposited at the Ayilamo mortuary.
Attempts to obtain an official response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, had not responded to enquiries about the incident as of press time.
Benue: Suspected gunmen shoot commercial driver dead on Anyiin-Ayilamo road