Journalist Killed By Gunmen In Nasarawa

Benjamin Ekom, a former treasurer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council had been shot dead on Monday by unknown gunmen, at his residence at Washo village, Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.
The leaders of the NUJ on Tuesday implored the security agencies to sniff out the killers of the journalist and make them face the law.

In a statement by its chairman and secretary Salihu Alkali and Sunday John respectively, The NUJ condemned the killing. It described the attack on innocent residents of the state by criminal elements as one too many, calling for drastic and proactive measures to protect the lives and property of residents in the state.

It also called for the support of members of the public in helping to expose criminal elements in their midst. “The entire journalists in the state also condole with the family and friends of the deceased, and pray God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest,” the union said in the statement.

In recent news, anaedoonline.ng had reported that unknown gunmen Friday invaded Odu Community, Udege Development Area of Nasarawa State at about 10 pm shot and killed a traditional ruler, Amos Ewa Obere (ASP Rtd) leaving the community in fears panic

The traditional ruler who sustained a serious injury in his stomach as a result of the gunshot was rushed to the Mararaba Udege General Hospital, for medical attention, but was confirmed dead in the hospital.

The Late Amos Ewa Obere was a retired Assitant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of who until his death was the head of his community and other surrounding villages.

An eyewitness told journalists that the unknown gunmen stormed the community in large numbers, shot sporadically to scare the people of the community, before committing the atrocity.

“When they stormed the community, they went straight to the palace, dragged the traditional ruler out, told him that his days on earth are over, and then fired bullets at him severally.”

According to the eyewitness who pleaded anonymity for the fear of being attacked said before the residents could be aware of what was happening, the gunmen had vanished from the community,” he said.

The pioneer chairman of NUJ in Nasarawa State, Mr. Joel Ogapa, who hails from the area, confirmed the incident which he described as unfortunate. Ogapa decried the rising insecurity in Nasarawa State in general and the local government area in particular, he said because of the security situation, he has not been home for the last two years.

“I have not been home in the last two years due to a high level of insecurity in the local government.” The chairman of Nasarawa Local Government, Mohammed Otto, and Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Rahman Nansel, couldn’t be reached for comment as their numbers were both switched off.