Gunmen have killed the District Head of Edikwu community in Apa Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Stephen Ochekwu.
The Benue Police Command in a statement on Sunday said the royal father was shot at his residence where he had been living on self-imposed exile in Ugbokpo, the Apa LGA headquarters.
The spokesperson of the police. SP Catherine Anene said: “On December 31, 2021 at about 12:45am an information was received that Chief Stephen Ada Ochekwu of Ukpogo Edikwu village, Apa LGA of Benue state, but resident in Ugbokpo town and a Chief of Edikwu community who was suspended and recently reinstated by Benue state government over a Chieftaincy crisis in his community was shot on his stomach in his house by unknown persons while asleep.
“The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital before being transferred to Otukpo town for further medical attention.
“He eventually died at the hospital as a result of the gunshot injury. Investigation in to the matter is in progress.”
Before his death, Ochekwu had been in exile in Ugbokpo since 2014 was on self-imposed exiled over a prolonged chieftaincy dispute in his community. He was recently reinstated to his position after being suspended from office by the state government in the year 2020 following the protracted crisis and killings in his domain.
