By Obaike Odihue
The Associstion of Igede Media Professionals (AIMP) has strongly condemned the gruesome killing of two young Igede men, Gabriel Ogoda and Ogah Jonathan Ukoh in an ambush attack at Ulam community along the Oju–Awajir Road in Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The group has also called on the Benue State Government to pay urgent attention to the perennial insecurity along the Oju-Awajir Road, which oftentimes leaves it unused for the better part of every year.
It described as unfortunate, the death of Mr. Jonathan Ukoh who had just completed his traditional marriage ceremony in Oju on Saturday, and was returning to Makurdi with his close friend, Mr. Gabriel Ogoda on Monday, August 4, 2025, when both were tragically killed by some yet-to-be-identified attackers.
“Mr. Ogoda had a heavily pregnant wife awaiting delivery. That makes this horrific incident even more heartbreaking for both families and the wider Igede community. The perpetrators not only snuffed lives out of the two promising young men, but also left behind widows, unborn children and grieving parents and relatives.
“AIMPs views this act not just as a senseless murder, but also as part of an alarming trend of insecurity and unchecked criminality along the Oju–Awajir Road. It raises serious concerns about the safety of citizens, particularly Igede sons and daughters, who are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks even while travelling legitimately within their own state.
“We are therefore calling on the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to treat this matter with the urgency it demands. This is not the time for silence or mere condolences as governments are wont to do.
Accordingly, we demand: That the Brnue State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), and heads of other security agencies to, as already ordered by the Chief Executive of the State, launch a full-scale manhunt for the killers of Gabriel Ogoda and Jonathan Ukoh, for immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits.
“That security forces be immediately deployed to the Ulam–Oju–Awajir axis and other flashpoints along the road to prevent further attacks, and that the state government engage with local communities to foster intelligence gathering, early warning signals, and peace building”‘, the group said in a statement signed by its President, Mr Egena Sunday Ode and the Secretary, Mr Gabriel Ahonye on Tuesday.
The group reiterated its stand in solidarity with the bereaved families and the entire Igede nation at this moment of deep grief, saying “we urge all Igede sons and daughters across the country and in the diaspora to remain calm, united, and vigilant, while IMPs and other stakeholders continue to push for justice using all lawful means at their disposal.”
