A Benue community is in turmoil after a Fulani herdsman allegedly murdered Joseph Obitiye, just hours after he lost his child at birth. The killing has triggered outrage, with residents demanding justice and increased security to prevent further violence. Authorities have been urged to act swiftly.
Tensions are high in Ojoga, Ichama, Okpokwu LGA, Benue State, following the murder of 22-year-old Joseph Gabriel Obitiye by a suspected Fulani herdsman named Suleiman.
The incident occurred on March 28, 2025, just hours after Obitiye’s wife gave birth to a stillborn child at St. Mary’s Hospital, Okpoga. While mourning with friends at his home, he reportedly confronted a group of armed herdsmen attempting to loot a nearby shop.
Eyewitnesses said Obitiye recognized one of them and called out his name before being shot multiple times. His friends fled for safety as the attackers disappeared into the nearby forest. When they returned, they found him critically wounded. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
News of the killing quickly spread, leading to outrage among residents. At dawn, local youths and hunters stormed the herders’ settlement, only to find it abandoned. Community members claim that similar attacks have increased in recent years, blaming herdsmen for previous murders.
The case has been reported to the police, with residents calling for urgent government intervention. Many fear that failure to act could lead to further violence and retaliatory attacks.
Community leaders insist that security forces must take decisive action to prevent future incidents. Meanwhile, the Ijaw National Congress President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has condemned the killing, warning that continued inaction could escalate tensions in the region.
