Sunday Oche, a chieftain of the Labour Party in Benue state is dead.

The chairman of Igumale Ward 1 of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State was shot by suspected armed herdsmen in an ambush on his way from the farm.

Daily Post reports that he was in the company of five others when the attack happened. The others escaped with serious injuries.

A friend of the deceased who spoke about the incident said the victim had gone to the farm on Monday, September 2 and while on his way back, he was ambushed by the armed herdsmen.

“There were six of them who went to the farm on two motorbikes. They were coming back about 4:30 pm, when they ran into the ambush of armed herdsmen, who were all over the place in Ado LGA.

“The armed herders flagged them down and immediately shot the Chairman, who was the first person they confronted, who died on the spot.

“When others realised it was an ambush, they tried to escape but the five of them also sustained serious injuries. Though they eventually escaped abandoning their motorbikes.

“On hearing the news of the attack, our youths mobilised and went to the scene of the incident, but the attackers had fled the scene leaving the body of the killed Chairman, who left a wife and two children.

“His body was recovered and plans are on to bury his remains on Thursday, while the injured five are currently receiving treatment at the hospital,” the source said.

Oche's death was confirmed by the Benue State Labour Party Publicity Secretary, Tersoo Orbunde, stating that the body has been recovered and is awaiting burial.

He said: “He is a Ward Chairman from Igumale, Sunday Oche. He went to his cassava farm and he was attacked and killed. They have brought the corpse back.

“Our people have gone there to console the family and we are waiting for them to arrange for his burial to see how we can come in. The matter has also been reported to the police for necessary action.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene said she was yet to receive information on the matter.