A district head who fled his community in Benue State due to persistent herdsmen attacks has been killed on his farm in Otukpo, a federal lawmaker has confirmed.

Representative Ojema Ojotu, who represents the Apa/Agatu constituency in the House of Representatives, disclosed this during a television interview on TVC news on Wednesday.

According to the lawmaker, Chief Adejo, the district head of Odugbeho, had relocated to Otukpo Local Government Area seeking safety from the incessant attacks by suspected herdsmen that plagued his community. Despite his efforts to find security, he was tragically killed on a farm where he had secured land to continue his agricultural activities.

"I recently got short information about the death of the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Adejo. Also Jeremiah from Ogbokpo. Jeremiah was just buried yesterday," Rep. Ojotu stated during the interview.

"The Chief that ran away from Odugbeho, he ran away from the village to Otukpo Local Government for safety. Right there, he got a piece of land to farm and he was killed right on his farm with Mr. Jeremiah," he added.

The lawmaker expressed deep concern over what he described as "a high level of insecurity in Benue State," lamenting that "lives of human beings have no value" in the current situation. He revealed that people are dying regularly with insufficient action being taken to address the crisis.

Rep. Ojotu highlighted his efforts to draw government attention to the security challenges in the region, stating, "Since the first day I came to the House up till this moment, I have moved not less than five motions, drawing the attention of the government to the issue of suspected herdsmen attack. These attacks are usually carried out in broad daylight."

The timing of these killings is particularly concerning as they coincide with the farming season. "This is the rainy season and people have to go to the farm massively but I can tell you for free that everybody is afraid of visiting their farms," the lawmaker explained.

The incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing rural communities in Benue State, where farmer-herder conflicts have resulted in numerous casualties and displacement of residents from their ancestral homes.

Security agencies are yet to issue an official statement regarding the killing of Chief Adejo and the circumstances surrounding his death.