A well-known farmer and businessman from Akor village in the Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, Mr. Terzungwe Shaku, has reportedly been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
The herdsmen had initially kidnapped him and demanded a ransom of N10 million, but after negotiations, his family paid N5.5 million for his release.
The tragic incident has sparked fear among residents of Akor and neighboring villages, with many fleeing their homes over concerns of further attacks by the armed herders.
A family source, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that Mr. Shaku had survived a previous attack by herdsmen early last year, but this time, the armed men were not as merciful.
Days before the New Year, the herdsmen stormed his business premises and abducted him. After a two-week captivity, the kidnappers reduced their ransom demand to N5.5 million, which Mr. Shaku’s family managed to pay.
However, despite the ransom being paid, the kidnappers callously murdered Mr. Shaku at the designated location where the money was dropped.
The family, after dropping the ransom, heard gunshots moments later and rushed back to find his lifeless body.
The assailants took the money and fled, leaving the family in shock and disbelief.
The police were contacted, but the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent Catherine Anene, confirmed that she had not received information regarding the incident at the time of this report.
