Gunmen have tragically killed a farmer, Terzungwe Shaku, in Akor village, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Shaku, who was also the owner of a drinking joint at the Akor market, was abducted shortly before the New Year and held hostage for over two weeks. Initially, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦20 million, but the family successfully negotiated a reduced payment of ₦5.4 million.
According to a family source, Shaku was shot dead at the exact location where the ransom was dropped on Sunday. “Unfortunately, Terzungwe Shaku was found dead at the point where he was supposed to be released,” the source lamented. The incident has caused panic among residents of Akor and neighboring villages in Nzorov Council Ward, leading many to flee the area out of fear of further attacks.
One local resident revealed that Shaku had been previously targeted by armed men last year but was abducted this time around. The source recounted how the family paid the ransom as directed, only for the gunmen to kill Shaku moments after they left the drop-off point. The family, upon hearing gunshots, rushed back to find his lifeless body.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, stated that she was yet to receive information about the incident. The community remains on edge as they mourn Shaku’s tragic death and fear the possibility of more attacks by armed men in the region.