The shadow of violence fell upon Aondona community in Benue State, claiming the life of Mathias Yogboh, a University of Calabar Religious Education graduate affectionately known as Jagaban. His untimely death, reportedly at the hands of suspected Fulani militia, has ignited a wave of grief and fury, amplified by a chilling Facebook post he made just weeks prior. On April 20, Yogboh had prophetically written, "Help me look for a better wife to marry before Fulani kill me, making me die as a childless person."
Local accounts confirm that Yogboh perished during a brutal raid by armed herdsmen, a stark reminder of the relentless attacks that continue to plague agrarian communities throughout Benue. The human rights activist Ukan Kurugh, in a poignant tribute, lamented the tragedy, stating, "He once shared his fears… now he’s gone. Not long ago, he voiced his deepest fear — the threat of Fulani terrorist herdsmen. Tragically, that fear became his reality. They took him from us. A voice silenced. A life cut short. A family shattered. Rest in peace, dear brother. You didn’t deserve this." Yogboh's death stands as a harrowing testament to the escalating crisis faced by residents in these vulnerable areas.
