Grief In Benue As Gunmen Kill Newlywed And Friend Days After Wedding

Tragedy struck in Benue State on Monday, August 4, 2025, as armed gunmen ambushed and killed two young men—Jonathan Uko Ogah, who had just gotten married two days earlier, and his close friend, Gabriel Ogoda.

The fatal attack reportedly occurred in the early hours along the Oju-Awarji road in the Ullam area of Gwer East Local Government. The victims were said to be returning from Oju Local Government Area when they were waylaid and brutally murdered.

The incident has sparked outrage and deep sorrow across the Igede community, where both victims hailed from. The killings have also triggered renewed calls for urgent intervention from government authorities and security agencies to address the growing insecurity in the region.

A close friend of the deceased, Drlaff Ijuo Albert, took to social media to mourn the loss, describing it as a heavy blow to the Igede nation.

“The sad killing of Jonathan Uko Ogah and Gabriel Ogoda today by a set of TIV folks on their way from Oju to Makurdi is a big hit on the entire nation of Igede. These two young guys have always worked genuinely hard, minding their businesses. We all know them,” he wrote.

He revealed that Jonathan had just tied the knot on Saturday, August 2. “Jonathan just got married two days ago, for crying out loud. What is this…???” he lamented.

He also paid tribute to Gabriel, describing him as a hardworking young man doing his best to support his family. “Gabriel struggled so hard to move his family to Makurdi, still hustling to keep up with life—and now this.”

While expressing his anguish, Albert clarified that there had been no recent conflict between the TIV and Igede people in the area, making the attack even more shocking and difficult to understand.

He pleaded with political leaders, including Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and lawmakers representing the region, to ensure justice is served.

“To our elected leaders—please look into this for us. These young men voted for you. We are helpless. How do we get justice for our brothers?”

He also issued a safety warning to residents of Igede land, urging them to avoid the Oju-Awarji road and instead take the longer and less secure Otukpo route to preserve their lives.

“I don’t even know whether to say rest in peace or not. It feels like a dream. I can’t even type ‘RIP’.”

At the time of this report, authorities have yet to issue an official statement or make any arrests related to the killings.