Terrorist who killed my father dared me to come for his corpse — Corps member

A member of the National Youth Service Corps, Aondofa Orkeghen, speaks to CHUKWUDI AKASIKE about his pain following the killing of his father, Francis Orkeghen, by suspected terrorists

Tell us about yourself

I am a 29-year-old man from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. I am currently serving as a corps member in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Can you recall what led to the death of your father and four relatives?

Yes, a group of terrorists launched an attack on my village, New Gboko in Chanchanji ward. The first attack claimed many lives. After the attack in a neighbouring village, my mother called and told me what happened.

I then called a driver to go and move our belongings away from the village, not knowing the attackers were coming back a second time.

This time, my father, Mr Francis Orkeghen, told my mother to go while he stayed behind to pick some other things before fleeing. He never knew the attackers would return the next day.

What happened during the second attack?

During the second attack, my father was killed along with some family members who stayed behind to carry some property.

After the attack, one of the Fulani men who took my father’s phone called me, and I immediately asked him the whereabouts of the phone’s owner. That was when he confirmed to me that he had killed my father.

How did you feel when you received the message that your dad and four relatives had been killed by suspected terrorists?

Oh my God, I was heartbroken. I cried because the attacker told me he killed my father. He also said I could come to the community to pick my father’s corpse if I was bold enough.

He warned that I could be the next victim. I was broken; I was not myself. I felt helpless and cried when the attacker told me on the phone that he had killed my father. I called for help, but nothing could be done immediately.

Before calling for help, what was your response to the terrorist?

I cut the call out of fear, then called my uncle and one of my brothers to check my father’s line. The Fulani man who was still holding the phone told them the same thing.

What happened in your community after the attack?

It was at that point the Fulani people began to invite their relatives. More and more of them kept coming into our community after they had succeeded in chasing residents away. As I speak to you now, those who killed my father are everywhere in my community.

I thought it was only my village that was affected, but they raided the entire Chanchanji community. Nobody can go to the village because the attackers are everywhere. The whole Chanchanji community is affected.

How did they get there? Was there any prior warning that the marauders would raid your community?

No, there was no information. They attacked suddenly. After the first attack, a task force chairman in the community market went to report to soldiers in the area, but the soldiers chased him away and told him not to come near them. They even beat and injured him.

How related are you to the four others who were killed?

They were members of our extended family. We are from the same village.

How did your mother escape the invaders?

During the first attack, my mother, my sister, and my brother ran and slept in the bush. The next morning, I called a driver to take them to town. That was how they escaped.

Did the suspected terrorist say anything else about the invasion?

No. He only asked if I wanted to come. They were laughing in the background.

Have you informed the police about the incident?

No, I am not around there now. People protested in Amadu village because of the attacks, and the Divisional Police Officer came to see what happened but went back. Since then, nothing has been done.

When did the first and second incidents occur?

The first incident happened in early November this year. The second, which claimed my father’s life, happened on November 27.

Apart from your father and four relatives, do you know how many others were killed during the raid?

Several people were killed, but there is no specific number. They are killing people daily now. Even yesterday, I saw photographs of some people who were killed. They are killing people every day in Chanchanji ward.

You recently cried out that you have no place to go after your national youth service in Enugu State. Can you explain?

Yes, the intruders are still in the community. We need government intervention to chase them out because we cannot go to the village. Even my father’s corpse is still there.

Is there any plan to chase the intruders out of your homeland?

If the government can send security agents to remove these people from the community, it will be better. As I speak, no one can go to the village. Once anyone goes there, that is the end. Even my father’s corpse is still there; no one can retrieve and bury it.

The state government is silent about it; they are not saying anything.

But has the state government been officially informed?

Yes, the Taraba State Government is aware of what is happening.

What position are you in the family?

I am my father’s second child.

How many wives did your father have?

He had three wives. The second wife died. With his death, he left behind my mother and the third wife.

How many children did your father have?

From my mother, we are five. The second wife had one daughter, while the third wife has three children. The total number of children is nine. I am the first son and the second child from my mother.

How would you describe your father?

My father was a school proprietor. He established many schools, though none developed fully. He later returned to the village and established a primary school, which he managed until he was killed.

He was honest. He was the secretary of the Tiv Culture in Takum Local Government Area and led some associations in the village.

He was trusted to manage contributions fairly. Even his primary school accepted children whose parents couldn’t pay their fees immediately. He contributed a lot to the development of the community. Nobody can speak ill of him.

When are you ending your NYSC programme?

January 2026.