At Least 15 Die, Several Others Injured in Fresh Attack by Suspected Herdsmen in Benue Community
At least 15 bodies have been recovered after an attack by suspected herders on Ugboju community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to locals, the attack was carried out on Wednesday evening, January 31, 2024.
A villager, who spoke to Daily Trust on the telephone, said the bodies were recovered Thursday morning, adding that the people were helpless over the situation.
He stated that before noon, more bodies might be discovered as search parties continued to comb bushes for missing persons.
Prince Inalegwu Adagole Simon, who hails from the affected village, narrated to our correspondent in Makurdi that the attackers besieged the community around 3pm on Wednesday.
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“It was around 3pm yesterday (Wednesday) those attackers came to my village and killed 15 persons. Some persons have been displaced from home. Before now, we had no issue with them (attackers),” Simon said.
The member representing Agatu constituency in the State House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, also decried the fresh killings which he said happened on Wednesday.
Edoh said, “I’m frustrated as a representative of my people by their cries. I have forwarded all the gory photos of the bodies recovered to the WhatsApp lines of both the governor and his deputy.”
Spokeswoman of the police in Benue, Catherine Anene, said she was yet to receive information about the incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Agatu.
“Let’s wait for the DPO, I will confirm from him. As we speak, there are so many police teams deployed to Agatu,” Anene said.
Three days ago, eight persons were feared dead following fresh armed herdsmen attacks on Ogwumogbo, Ikpele and Ejima communities in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.
The attack, left several others missing and many displaced from their homes.
The incident occurred a week after a similar attack on Agatu communities claimed the lives of three security personnel and several others.
