Gunmen attack Benue communities, kill two soldiers, others
At least two soldiers and two others are feared dead in a fresh armed herdsmen attack on communities in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.
The attack also left several persons injured including the Commander of the soldiers while another has been declared missing alongside some villagers in the affected communities.
It was gathered from a source in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity that armed herdsmen who besieged the communities from neighbouring Nasarawa State had already sacked Okokolo, Olegomakwu, Olegonyilo, Nahem and Ocholonya communities in the unprovoked attack.
He also informed that communities like Abugbe, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Olegobidu have all been deserted as women and children flee, trekking several kilometers in search of safer areas to take refuge.
According to him “The militias have been crossing around Otiya village since yesterday (Thursday) till this morning in much numbers and attacking our people many of whom are already missing.
“From what we heard, two of our people and two soldiers have been killed and many others sustained injuries in the attack that is going on.
“As at this Friday morning, they are still crossing with weapons. We are waiting for military re-enforcement though Olegomakwu, Olegonyilo, Nahem and Ocholonya have all been deserted right now.
“The women in Abugbe, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Olegobidu fled since yesterday, many of them are taking refuge in Obagaji, Oshigbudu and Ugbokpo while some are at Ojantele.”
Confirming the development, the lawmaker representing Agatu State Constituency, Godwin Edoh who expressed shock and dismay at the level of attacks his constituents suffer as a result of armed herdsmen incursions in Agatu, lamented that the latest attack had already claimed the lives of the people while some sustained injuries.
The lawmaker said, “What happened was there were threats of attacks on some villages including Ocholonya and Ogboju Ogbupe the past six days. So those people deserted their places and relocated to Okokolo. It is in Okokolo that herdsmen came to attack them yesterday (Thursday).
“We have lost about two of our people so far. A lot of people were injured and we are still monitoring their medication.
“As the lawmaker representing the area, I have called the Local Government Chairmen and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, who is in charge of the place and he confirmed to me that he was there yesterday. I have also spoken to the Deputy Governor of the state over the matter.”
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
