The chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiidi Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Igbu Terhemen, has died after he was allegedly attacked by suspected hoodlums.

Terhemen was reportedly found unconscious in a bush near his residence in Makurdi in the early hours of Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

His death has triggered condemnation from the NDC, which has called on security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

Who was Igbu Terhemen?
Igbu Terhemen was the NDC chairman of Fiidi Council Ward in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Benue chapter of the party described him as a committed member who contributed to the growth of the NDC in the state.

His death comes as the NDC continues preparations ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party’s state chairman, Ohini Ojegbe, condemned the incident and called for an urgent investigation.

According to accounts from people close to the deceased, Terhemen left his residence on Tuesday evening to watch a local football match in the Kanshio area of Makurdi.

He reportedly did not return home after the match.

Concerned family members and friends later began searching for him.

The search reportedly led to his discovery at about 2am in a bush close to his residence, around the NNPC Depot along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road.

He was found unconscious and was taken for medical attention, but reportedly died before he could receive treatment.

How was Terhemen allegedly attacked?
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation.

According to the NDC and accounts attributed to people familiar with the incident, Terhemen was allegedly tied with ropes and abandoned near his residence.

The party also alleged that he was injected with a substance suspected to be poisonous.

A friend of the deceased reportedly said there was a needle-like injury on his body.

These details have been reported as allegations surrounding the attack. They have not been established by a police investigation or court ruling.

Another unusual detail reported by the deceased’s friend was that his phone was found with him, suggesting that robbery had not been established as the motive for the attack.

What has the NDC said?
The Benue State chapter of the NDC condemned the killing and described Terhemen as a dedicated party member.

The party said he was reportedly attacked by suspected hoodlums, tied up and injected with substances suspected to be poisonous before being abandoned.

Ohini Ojegbe, the state chairman of the NDC, described the incident as a serious development and called on security agencies to urgently investigate.

The party wants those responsible for the attack identified and brought to justice.

Has the police confirmed the killing?
The available reports indicate that the police had not yet received a formal report of the incident when contacted.

Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, reportedly said the command was yet to receive a report concerning the incident.

This is an important distinction because most of the details currently circulating about how Terhemen was attacked come from friends, the NDC and media reports.

The police response may provide additional information once an investigation formally begins.

Where was the NDC chairman found?
Terhemen was reportedly found in a bush close to his residence around the NNPC Depot area along the Makurdi-Otukpo Road.

The location is on the outskirts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

According to reports, his friends and relatives found him after searching for him when he failed to return home.

He was reportedly unconscious at the time.

Was Terhemen’s death politically motivated?
There is currently no confirmed evidence establishing the motive for the killing.

The deceased was a ward chairman of a political party, but the available reports do not establish that his political activities were the reason for the attack.

The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the identity of the attackers and their motive, remain matters for investigation.

The NDC has therefore called on security agencies to determine what happened and prosecute anyone found responsible.

Why is the killing significant?
Terhemen’s death has drawn attention because he was a political party official in a period when Nigerian parties are already preparing for the 2027 elections.

The incident has also raised fresh concerns among members of the NDC about the safety of their officials and supporters.

However, it is important not to draw conclusions about the motive until security agencies establish what happened.

The NDC has asked the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

What happens next?
The immediate issue is the investigation into Terhemen’s death.

Security agencies will need to establish where he was attacked, who attacked him, what caused his death and whether the incident was connected to robbery, a personal dispute, political activity or another motive.

A formal police investigation could also clarify the allegation that he was injected with a poisonous substance.

For now, the reported killing of the NDC ward chairman remains an unresolved criminal case.

The NDC has called for justice, while the police are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and identify those responsible.