Benue: Suspected Herdsmen Kill Mother, Son, Others

SUSPECTED killer-herdsmen have reportedly killed no fewer than four people, including a mother and her son, in two communities of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Two others were said to be missing in the midday attack on Wednesday, which occurred at Egwuma and Ogbai communities in the local government area.

According to a native, who simply identified himself as Inalegwu, the suspected armed herders stormed the two communities and attacked innocent villagers.

Inalegwu said, “Some Fulani herdsmen attacked Egwuma and Ogbai communities today. They killed a woman and her son who were working on their farm, and also killed two others at the neighbouring Ogbai community.

“As I am talking to you now, two people are still missing and we are searching for them.”

The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, who confirmed the incident, described it as “senseless and barbaric.”

He said: “This is an unprovoked attack on our people, it’s senseless and barbaric. How could people attack and kill a mother and her son who were working on their farm?

“The incident happened today (Wednesday) at Egwuma, where they killed an innocent mother and her son working on their farm, and the other two people were killed at the neighbouring Ogbai community.”

James, who commended the security men deployed to the area, explained that the attack was unleashed on the two communities at the time security personnel were carrying out surveillance in other villages.

According to him, “The security operatives in Agatu have been doing their best to beef up security, but the problem in my council is the bad roads. At the time the incident happened, the security men were in surveillance of other areas.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive the report, explaining that she was on tour.

Edet said: “As you can hear voices in the background, we are on tour and I am yet to get the report, but I will get back to you later.”

Also contacted, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, said he was yet to receive the report and asked the correspondent to contact the affected council chairman.