Suspected armed  herders  kill 4 in fresh attack on Benue community

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Armed Herdsmen have again, launched attack on Alia  Odugheho in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing four persons and injured many others.

It was gathered that the attack took place on earlier hours of Sunday morning where the deceased people were said to be going along Aila Odugheho road to a nearby village.

A source from the area who identified himself as Danny Uloko told newsmen in a telephone chat on Sunday in Makurdi that the suspected herders ambushed the people while going to a nearby village and killed them.

The local gave names of the deceased to include, Ochefije Elijah OJEMA, Igojuju HUSAINI, Odiya OCHOWECHI and Ochoyoda ADEJO

The chairman of the local government, Melvin Ejeh confirmed the attack along Aila Odugheho road and said that four people were killed.

Ejeh said that as a result of security operatives in the local government, the armed herders now find it difficult to invade some of the volatile communities but lamented that the herders now resorted to ambush.

“It’s true the incident happened today, (Sunday morning) four of our people were killed.

“Because of the robust security strategies we have put on the ground in the communities it’s now difficult to attack and overrun any community in Agatu local government area.

“Hence, they have resorted to ambush, which is a little more complex to confront, however clearance operation are currently ongoing to rid to community forest of the bandits,” the chairman said in a telephone interview with our correspondent.

Ejeh further said that security agencies including the DPO and local vigilantes were already in the area carrying out clearance operations.

When contacted, the state command spokesperson, DSP, Udeme Edet said she had been trying to reach the Agatu Divisional Police Officer for confirmation but not successful.

“Am yet to get the report because I have not been able to reach the DPO Agatu, ” the PPRO said.