Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
The Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Fiidi Council Ward, Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Igbu Terhemen, has died after he was reportedly attacked and found unconscious near his residence in the state capital.
Terhemen was reportedly discovered in the early hours of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in a bush close to his residence around the NNPC Depot along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, with the NDC alleging that he was attacked by suspected hoodlums. The party said he was tied with ropes, allegedly injected with an unidentified substance and abandoned.
However, the Benue State Police Command had not confirmed the incident at the time of reporting. The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, told journalists that the police had not received a formal report concerning the alleged killing.
Terhemen Found Unconscious
According to accounts cited by multiple Nigerian media organisations, Terhemen left his residence on Tuesday evening to watch a local football match around the Kanshio area of Makurdi.
He was expected to return home after the match but reportedly did not arrive.
Concerned relatives and friends subsequently began searching for him.
A friend of the deceased, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, said Terhemen was eventually found at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday in a bush near his residence.
He was reportedly unconscious and unable to speak or communicate with those who found him.
The friend said Terhemen died before he could receive medical attention.
The precise circumstances leading to his condition have not been independently established.
Reports have also carried an allegation that a needle-like injury was observed on his body and that he may have been injected with an unknown substance. That claim remains unverified and should not be treated as a confirmed finding until established by medical or security authorities.
NDC Calls for Investigation
The Benue State chapter of the NDC has condemned Terhemen’s death and called on security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Agile Bem, announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the statement, NDC State Chairman Ohini Ojegbe described the incident as a serious act of violence and urged security authorities to identify and arrest those responsible if an attack is established.
The party also described Terhemen as a committed member whose contributions to the organisation would be missed.
The NDC extended its condolences to his immediate family, the Fiidi community and members of the party.
The party’s call for an investigation places responsibility on the security authorities to establish what happened, determine whether Terhemen was attacked and, if so, identify those responsible.
Police Yet to Confirm Incident
The absence of a formal police confirmation is an important part of the developing story.
DSP Peter Aondongu, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, said the command had not received a report concerning the incident when contacted by journalists.
This means that details concerning the identity of the alleged attackers, their motive and the exact circumstances of Terhemen’s death remain unconfirmed by the authorities.
The distinction is significant because the available information currently comes largely from the deceased’s associates, the NDC and media reports.
Further clarification from the police or other relevant authorities would be necessary to establish an official account of the incident.
Political Context
Terhemen’s death occurred as political activity continues to intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
As a ward-level party chairman, his position placed him within the grassroots political structure of the NDC in Makurdi.
However, there is currently no evidence establishing that his death was politically motivated.
The circumstances of the incident should therefore be separated from political speculation until investigators establish a motive or identify suspects.
The NDC’s political affiliation is relevant to identifying Terhemen’s role, but it does not establish a connection between the alleged attack and his political activities.
Security Concerns in Benue
The incident adds to broader concerns about security in Benue State, where communities have faced different forms of violence and criminal activity.
Makurdi, as the state capital, has also experienced security incidents, although each case requires separate investigation and should not automatically be linked to wider patterns without supporting evidence.
For residents, incidents involving attacks on individuals in or around residential areas can raise concerns about personal safety and the effectiveness of local security arrangements.
The circumstances surrounding Terhemen’s death therefore require an evidence-based investigation rather than speculation.
Establishing where he was attacked, who last saw him, how he reached the location where he was found and what caused his death would be among the questions authorities may need to address.
Why the Investigation Matters
A formal investigation would be important not only to determine how Terhemen died but also to establish whether a criminal offence occurred and identify those responsible if wrongdoing is confirmed.
It would also help distinguish between confirmed facts and claims circulating about the incident.
The NDC has already called for those responsible to be brought to justice, while the police have indicated that no formal report had been received at the time they were contacted.
Until an official investigation provides further information, claims about the attackers, the alleged substance involved or the motive behind the incident remain unconfirmed.
This approach is particularly important in cases involving violent deaths, where early accounts can contain incomplete or inaccurate information.
What Happens Next?
The next significant development will be whether the incident is formally reported to the Benue State Police Command and whether investigators open an inquiry.
Authorities would also be expected to establish the circumstances of Terhemen’s death and determine whether the reported injuries were caused by an attack.
The identification and questioning of witnesses, examination of relevant evidence and any available medical findings could help establish what happened between Terhemen’s departure from home on Tuesday evening and his discovery early Wednesday.
For now, the confirmed element of the developing report is that Igbu Terhemen, the NDC chairman of Fiidi Council Ward in Makurdi, has died after reportedly being found unconscious near his residence.
The allegation that he was attacked by suspected hoodlums remains subject to official investigation, while the police had not confirmed receiving a formal report when contacted.
The NDC has called for an urgent investigation and expressed condolences to Terhemen’s family, the Fiidi community and party members.
Further information from the police and other relevant authorities will be necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding his death and determine whether anyone will face criminal proceedings.
Weng Global — Stories beyond borders
sources
Benue State Police Command
Nigeria Democratic Congress, Benue State Chapter
Punch Newspapers
Vanguard
Trust Radio
