Gunmen have reportedly killed a farmer, Terzungwe Shaku, in Akor village, located in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Shaku, who also owned a drinking establishment at Akor market, was abducted shortly before the New Year and held captive for over two weeks.
Locals reported that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N20 million, but after negotiations, the family settled on N5.4 million, which was paid.
However, a family source revealed that Shaku was shot dead at the site where the ransom was dropped on Sunday.
“It is unfortunate that Terzungwe Shaku was found dead at the very spot where he was meant to be released,” the source lamented.
It has since come to light that residents of Akor and nearby villages within the Nzorov Council Ward of Guma LGA have begun fleeing the area out of fear of further attacks.
“He was targeted last year by armed men, but this time they kidnapped him. The family negotiated the ransom, and after paying, he was killed at the same location they were instructed to drop the money,” a resident stated.
The local further disclosed that the gunmen shot Shaku moments after his family left the drop-off point, emphasising that upon hearing gunshots, the family rushed back only to find his lifeless body.
SP Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, stated that she did not yet have any information regarding the incident.