There was tension in Orokam community in Ogbadibo local government area of Benue State following the discovery of two headless natives on Friday.
The victims, a newly elected councillor and his cousin were suspected to have been murdered by marauding herdsmen.
The remains of the victims were only discovered in a nearby forest after several hours of search by hunters and local vigilante in the community.
Vanguard reported that the incident caused locals to block major roads by way of protest, while vowing to carry out reprisals.
Chairman of Ogbadibo Council, Prince Samuel Onu confirmed the incident, narrating that the victims had gone to rescue a kidnapped victim, but were caught by the armed herders.
“In the last three days now, herdsmen have been troubling the area and there have been incessant kidnappings in the LGA. There was a kidnap yesterday (Thursday) by the armed herdsmen after which they left one community in Owukpa and went towards Orokam.
“On their way to Orokam, they kidnapped one man. So, the Councillor-elect, since he lived in the village, was a hunter too. He and his cousin, with other hunters and the vigilante alongside Operation Zenda security team entered the forest to see if they could rescue the man that was kidnapped.
“It was when they were to return yesterday that they noticed that two of them were missing. But they (security personnel) were able to arrest two of the Fulani men. This morning when they went to check again, they saw the lifeless beheaded bodies of the Councillor-elect and his cousin.”
The Chairman also disclosed that the arrested herders have been taken to the Police Headquarters in Makurdi, the state capital by men of Operation Zenda.
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