While Enenche, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronics, was shot dead on Friday by some criminal gangs terrorising motorists and commuters along Otukpo-Eke-Ugbokolo-Otukpa highway, Mr. Orbunde, was killed by some gunmen in Zaki Biam, the local government headquarters on Saturday.
The Benue Command of the Nigeria Police Force has launched a manhunt for the killers of former Deputy Rector of the Benue State Polytechnic, Mr Oche Enenche and Information Officer of Ukum Local Government Area, Mr. Orbunde Ephraim.
While Enenche, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronics, was shot dead on Friday by some criminal gangs terrorising motorists and commuters along Otukpo-Eke-Ugbokolo-Otukpa highway, Mr. Orbunde, was killed by some gunmen in Zaki Biam, the local government headquarters on Saturday.
The immediate past chairman of Ukum LGA, Steve Ayua, who appointed Orbunde as the council’s Information Officer, told journalists on Sunday that his killers trailed him to his house and shot him in the stomach.
Ayua said, “I appointed him (Ephraim) the Information Officer of Ukum LGA but I don’t know if the new chairman retained him or not, but he was shot last night and was taken to a private hospital, unfortunately, he didn’t get prompt medical attention and he eventually passed on.”
The former Deputy Rector was killed by gunmen on Friday evening while returning to Ugbokolo from Otukpo in company with his wife.
A lecturer in the institution, who spoke to Vanguard said the deceased had travelled in his car to Otukpo town with his wife for a private engagement.
He said it was while they were returning to Ugbokolo around 4 pm on Friday that they ran into an ambush by the armed men.
“From what we gathered, he drove into the gunmen and they flagged him down. And they didn’t waste a minute, as he was stopping, they shot and killed him.
“They also made attempt to kidnap his wife but because the security personnel who were not too far away from the point of the incident rushed to where the gunshots came from, the armed men on sighting the approaching military personnel fled into the bush, abandoning the woman.
“I must tell you that the murder of the Enenche is one too many on that road. Only a few months ago we also lost another lecturer to a similar incident aside from the numerous travellers that ply that road that have either been killed, kidnapped or shot at by these gunmen."
When SaharaReporters reached out to the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, SP, Catherine Anene, she said the command has launched a manhunt for the hoodlums.
She said, "Our men are already tracking them. No arrest has been made but I assure you that the hoodlums would soon be apprehended.
“Their location has been identified and they are being tracked as we speak. When I get to the office, I will get the details of the operation but be rest assured that police are working round the clock to arrest the perpetrators."