News Update
A Nigerian man, Mr. Kokoricha College Franklyn, from Delta State, has narrated the heartbreaking story of how he lost his fiancée and infant son during a violent incident in Benue State, followed by a series of threats that left him helpless and his life under high risk even after changing location to different places In Nigeria.
Franklyn, a 55-year-old commercial bus driver of Urhobo origin, had lived and worked in Abugbe, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State for several years, operating his transport business mainly at the Obagaji International Yam Market.
In an interview, he explained that his troubles began after his relationship with an Idoma woman, Miss Blessing Omoche, met with strong resistance from her family.
“I met Blessing in 2015 during a business trip to Otukpo,” Franklyn recounted. “We became close, and by 2019 I proposed to her. Her mother supported us, but her uncle, Mr. Fidelis Omoche, completely rejected the idea because of my age and tribe.”
Despite the opposition, the couple continued their relationship. Blessing later became pregnant and moved in with him. On February 22, 2022, she gave birth to a baby boy, John Oghenekeme Kokoricha, in Abugbe.
According to Franklyn, their life together was peaceful until tragedy struck in May 2023.
“I had travelled to Akure for work when she told me her mother was ill in Otukpo,” he said. “She left the next morning with our baby, but that same day, there was a Fulani herdsmen attack along the route she was to take. I couldn’t reach her again.”
Franklyn said that despite days of searching with the help of police and local volunteers, neither Blessing nor the baby was ever found.
“I went from hospital to hospital, and even the mortuaries,” he said. “There was no trace of them. It felt like my whole world ended.”
Months later, Blessing’s mother reportedly died of shock after learning of her daughter’s disappearance.
Following her death, Franklyn claimed that her uncle, Mr. Fidelis, began accusing him of being responsible for the tragedy and vowed to deal with him.
“I received warnings not to visit him because he was involved in cult activities,” he explained. “People told me my life was in danger.”
Things worsened in January 2024 when suspected herdsmen attacked Abugbe community, destroying homes and killing several residents.
“I was lucky to be away that night,” he said. “When I returned after the army came, my house was completely burnt down. I lost everything.”
He later fled to Lagos with the help of a friend, Mr. Pius Asaba, but claimed that threats continued to reach him.
Someone dropped a note at my friend’s house saying I could run but couldn’t hide,” he said. “That was when I knew I have to do something fast or get killed.”