No fewer than 26 persons have been killed and over 200 persons rendered homeless when suspected herdsmen attacked the Agatu community in Benue South Senatorial District.
Areas worst hit are Ologomachi, Ikpele and Eguma.
An indigene of Agatu, Paul Omale, told The Nation, that the attackers invaded Olegomachi community and killed 13 persons and in lkpele community, one person and abducted others.
He said: “They attackers armed with sophisticated weapons launched another attack on July 11 on lkpele and burnt all the houses.
“About 4pm on June 14, suspected herdsmen invaded Egwuma community and shot sporadically. When the dust died down,12 persons were killed, while other members of the community fled for fear of their lives.’’
Another displaced person from Egwuma, Joseph Okoh, confirmed that nine bodies had been recovered, while about 10 neighbouring communities, including Ogumogbo, Ejima-gega, and Ejima Gochi, had been sacked with the displaced people taking refuge in neighbouring villages.
The Member representing Agatu in the state House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, said incessant attacks and killings of Agatu people, had become a recurring decimal, adding: It’s “unacceptable in democracy.
Edoh wondered why herdsmen crossed River Benue from Nasarawa State to the border community of Ogumogbo to graze openly without security personnel challenging them. He called on the Federal Government to establish a military base at Ogumogbo to forestall further attacks on his constituents.
