Agatu Killings: 10 Persons Killed In Fresh herders Attack, As Army deploys 400 Soldiers

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Suspected armed militia herdsmen have again, reportedly invaded Ogbaulu community in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, killing 10 persons.

Recall that the armed herders, had on 4th of May 2024, attacked three farmers and slaughtered them in their farms at Ogbaulu community.

Another attack took place two days ago where the suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed a pregnant woman, 10 other persons after they launched attack on Akilo community in Usha council ward in Agatu West of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the latest attack on Tuesday night made it the fifth times in this month of May.

However, an eyewitness who identified himself as Shehu Abdullahi, told journalists on phone in Makurdi, that the invaders again, stormed Ogbaulu village at about 9pm on Tuesday and started shooting sporadically which resulted to the death of 10 persons including an Igbo trader.

Abdullahi said that the killers came through neighbouring community in Apa LGA and launched the attacks on Ogbaulu people.

“After the attack and soldiers came, we went out to search for bodies of victims. As at this afternoon, about nine dead bodies were recovered including the one picked last night”

“It is a critical moment for us in Agatu particularly in Ogbaulu community. We are calling on government at all levels to come to the aid of Agatu people. We are now living at mercies of God and that of herdsmen”. He stressed

The caretaker committee chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Yakubu Ochepo, who confirmed the attack said, about four people died and added that he is yet to get the final report.

Mr. Ochepo also confirmed that the invaders came through Apa side and carried out their dastardly acts

“As I’m talking to you now, OPWS has mobilized over 400 personnel to Agatu. The soldiers went in immediately in the night. I can confirm to you, there is casualties of about four people. But I have not gotten the final report.

“It’s Fulani that carried out the attack. They are saying some indigenous people are among them. But when we called the numbers of those they killed, it was the Fulani that picked.

“Our concerns is why should Fulani pass and the locals would not know. Ogbaulu is on the top hill side and that is why we are surprised.

“They came from Apa side and as I’m talking to you now, OPWS has mobilized over 400 personnel to Agatu. More than 100 soldiers are currently stationed in Ogbaulu to avert further attack”, Ochepo stated.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Catherine Anene, proved abortive as she could not pick calls or respond to texts put across to her phone at the time of filing this report.