By The Daily Reality
A family in Benue State has accused a military convoy of killing a farmer, Mr Aondover Tseshom David, along the Katsina-Ala Road, an incident they described as reckless homicide and an abuse of power, SaharaReporters, a Nigerian online newspaper, reported.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The deceased was said to have been hit by a military convoy while attending to his daily activities aimed at supporting his family.
Relatives alleged that after the incident, security operatives dumped the farmer’s corpse at a police station. The body reportedly remained there until family members were contacted and compelled to arrange its retrieval.
The deceased’s first child, Miss Aondover Msendoo, demanded justice and described the incident as devastating and inhumane.
“My name is Aondover Msendoo. I am a 300-level Nursing student at Bayero University, Kano, and the first child of six,” she said.
“On Thursday, January 22, 2026, my life and that of my entire family were irrevocably shattered. My beloved father, Mr. Aondover Tseshom David, a poor, hardworking farmer from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, was brutally run down and killed by a military convoy along the Katsina-Ala Road.”
She said the family’s pain was worsened by how her father’s remains were treated after his death.
“The horror did not end with his death. His lifeless body was carelessly dumped at a police station as if he were trash, and left there until we, his traumatised family, could gather the strength and money to retrieve him. This act of profound indignity added immeasurable pain to our already unbearable loss,” she said.
Miss Msendoo said her father was the sole provider for the family and struggled daily to cater for his wife and six children.
“My father was the only provider for our family. His life was one of struggle, sacrifice and resilience. Just last July, we endured the agony of his kidnapping from his farm. We sold what little we had and borrowed money to pay a large ransom for his release,” she said.
She added that after his release, he returned to farming in an effort to rebuild their lives before his death.
“He survived criminals and kidnappers, only to be killed not by bandits, but by those sworn to protect the lives of Nigerians,” she said.
According to her, the family now faces severe hardship. She said her mother is overwhelmed, while relatives have mounted pressure for a quick burial due to increasing mortuary bills.
“We are now destitute. My mother is broken and under intense pressure from extended family members to bury my father immediately because of escalating mortuary costs. My five siblings are very young, and their future is now uncertain,” she said.
“As a student, I am struggling to see how I can continue my education while carrying this burden and at the same time fighting for justice for my father.”
Miss Msendoo rejected suggestions that the incident was accidental.
“We are convinced this was not an accident. It was an act of reckless homicide and a gross abuse of power, followed by the degrading treatment of my father’s remains. This speaks to a culture of impunity that has become common in our country,” she said.
She expressed concern that the case could be ignored without public attention and legal action.
“We fear that without the powerful voice of Nigerians and strong legal advocacy, this crime will be ignored and my father will become just another anonymous statistic,” she said.
The grieving daughter appealed to human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), to intervene and assist the family.
“Therefore, I humbly and desperately appeal for help. Please help us secure justice for my father. Help us hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that no other family goes through this twin trauma of loss and indignity,” she said.
“We need guidance, legal expertise and strong advocacy to navigate this fight against a formidable system.”
Despite their circumstances, she said the family still believed in justice.
“We are poor, but we are not without hope. We believe in the rule of law and in champions who make it work for people like us,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army and the Benue State Police Command had not released any official statement on the incident.