Makurdi, Benue State — Fresh concerns have emerged over the safety of political party officials in Benue State following the reported killing of Igbu Terhemen, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman in Fiidi Council Ward, Makurdi Local Government Area, by suspected assailants.
Terhemen was reportedly attacked on Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026, after leaving his residence to watch a local football match in the Kanshio area of Makurdi. He was later found unconscious in a bush near his residence, around the NNPC Depot along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road, in the early hours of Wednesday.
A friend of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said family members and friends became worried when Terhemen failed to return home, prompting a search that led to his discovery at about 2 a.m.
He reportedly died before receiving medical attention, while accounts from the deceased’s associates raised suspicions that he may have been subjected to an attack involving a harmful substance. However, the circumstances surrounding his death, the identity of his attackers and their motive remain unclear.
The Benue State chapter of the NDC has condemned the killing, describing Terhemen as a committed party member whose contributions to the growth of the party would be greatly missed.
The party’s State Chairman, Ohini Ojegbe, called on security agencies to urgently investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command said it had yet to receive a formal report of the incident as of the time of the initial media reports, leaving several questions about the circumstances of the death unanswered.
Terhemen’s killing comes amid growing concerns about the security situation in Benue, where communities have continued to experience deadly attacks, displacement and destruction of property.
The incident also comes weeks after the presidential candidate of the NDC, Peter Obi, was reportedly prevented from proceeding to Yelewata community during a visit to commiserate with families affected by the 2025 massacre.
Obi’s convoy was blocked by a group of youths along the Makurdi-Gboko Road on September 8, 2026, forcing him to abandon the planned visit. The NDC accused suspected political thugs of obstructing the visit and called for an investigation, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and said it had no prior knowledge of the visit. Reports subsequently indicated that the NDC had notified the police ahead of Obi’s arrival and that security personnel were aware of his movement.
The confrontation renewed public attention on the state’s security challenges and concerns about the safety of residents, political leaders and opposition party members.
Benue has experienced repeated attacks on rural communities, including the deadly 2025 assault on Yelewata, which left hundreds dead and many others displaced. Renewed incidents of violence in different parts of the state have continued to raise questions about the protection of lives, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Although Terhemen’s killing has triggered concerns about possible political violence, there is no verified evidence at this stage linking the attack to the APC or establishing a political motive. The identities and affiliations of those responsible remain to be determined by security agencies.
The NDC has called for a transparent investigation, while the circumstances surrounding the killing are expected to become clearer as the authorities establish the facts.
For Terhemen’s family, friends and political associates, the immediate concern is justice and accountability, as residents of Benue continue to seek lasting security and an end to recurring violence.
