Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen, who kidnapped Terzungwe Shaku, a
farmer and businessman in Akor village, Nzorov Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, have reportedly killed him after collecting N5.5 million from his family members for his release.
The development has forced members of the community and neighbouring villages to flee their homes for fear of being targeted by the marauders.
A close family source who preferred anonymity, told newsmen on Sunday that the deceased who early last year survived an attack by the marauding herdsmen was however not lucky a few days to the new year when the armed men again stormed his business place and whisked him away.
According to the family source, kidnappers had demanded N10 million as ransom for his release but his family members negotiated and paid N5.5 million to secure his freedom.
“It is true, Akor is my village. Terzungwe was a big farmer who also owned a provision store in Akor. Early last year armed herdsmen attacked him but he survived it.
“Unfortunately this time around, the herdsmen kidnapped him a few days before the new year and took him away for about two weeks. They demanded a ransom of 10 Million but his family negotiated with them and they arrived at a ransom of N5.5 million.
“Unfortunately, the herdsmen killed him at the same spot where they had directed the family to drop the ransom. He was eventually shot and killed by his abductors.
“What happened was that his relatives dropped the ransom at the spot they were ordered to and had barely moved out of the area when they heard gunshots. They immediately returned to the spot and saw his lifeless body on the ground. They killed him and went away with the money, leaving his family in shock and disbelief because the ransom was paid,” the family source said.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said she was yet to receive information on the incident.
