Former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Mr Terwase Orbunde was on Friday evening attacked by suspected armed herdsmen at his farm, located near the Genocide Cemetery along Mobile Barracks-Welfare Quarters Road in the outskirt of the state capital, abducting his wife and house help.
A statement on the verified social media page of his close associate, Mr Tahav Agerzua, said the former CoS, his wife, Abigail and maid Patience Ogute came under attack at about 6 pm.
According to him, the herdsmen shot Orbunde in a bid to kidnap him, his wife and housemaid. But due to much bleeding from the gunshot wound he sustained in his arm, the herdsmen left him behind and whisked away his wife, Abigail and the house maid Patience.
Quoting eyewitnesses, Agerzua said the victims had gone to inspect the wedding of their farm located close to the road when they came under attack by the armed men.
He said, “They said after the inspection of the work and payment of the workers five gunmen suddenly attacked their victims as they walked back to their car.
“It was reported that they opened fire and Honorable Orbunde received a bullet on the right arm while they ordered him and the women to follow them to an unknown destination.
“The shooting was said to have caused villagers and passersby to scamper for safety in different directions.
“As they marched along, the former Chief of Staff was said to be bleeding profusely and unable to walk quickly.
“The witnesses who watched from a distance said the leader of the group ordered him to walk away while the gunmen took the women to an unknown destination while good Samaritans conveyed Mr Orbunde to hospital.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene confirmed the development.
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