Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
Gunmen have shot dead two persons including Mr Patrick Kumbul, Head of ICT Unit, Radio Nigeria (Harvest FM) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital and his friend, Charles Shongo.
Our correspondent gathered that the deceased and his friend were shot at point-blank by their assailants in front of his house on Daniel Amokachi Lane around 8pm on Saturday.
The six assailants, according to eyewitnesses, came on motorbikes, stopped in front of Kumbul’s house, approached him and shot at him killing him on the spot while his friend, Shongo who tried to run away from the scene was also pursued, shot and then hacked to death.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene confirmed the report, adding that the police was already investigating the killing.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom has given a marching order to the Benue State Police Command and other security agencies to ensure that killers of Mr Patrick Kumbul, were arrested and brought to justice.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, described as unacceptable, the murder of Mr Kumbul by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in front of his house on Daniel Amokachi Lane, Makurdi.
“He (Ortom) urges residents of the Benue State capital and neighbouring towns to volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of the killers.
“The governor sympathises with the entire Kumbul family, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Harvest FM staff in particular over the painful loss. He prays God to grant the deceased eternal rest,” the statement read.