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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia have, again, reportedly killed 10 people in the Ogbaulu community in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
This is coming barely one week after armed herders, on May 4, 2024, attacked three farmers and slaughtered them in their farms in the same Ogbaulu community.
Another attack took place two days ago, where the suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed a pregnant woman and 10 others after they launched an attack on Akilo community in Usha council ward in Agatu West of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Residents in the area said the fresh attack took place on Tuesday night, making it the fifth attack in the month of May.
A local, who identified himself as Shehu Abdullahi, told newsmen on phone, in Makurdi, that the invaders, again, stormed Ogbaulu village, at about 9pm, on Tuesday, and started shooting sporadically killing 10 people, including an Igbo trader. Abdullahi said the killers came through the neighbouring community in Apa LGA to launch attacks on Ogbaulu people.
“After the attack, soldiers came and we went out to search for bodies of victims. As of this afternoon, Wednesday, about nine dead bodies were recovered, including the ones picked last night. It was a critical moment for us in Agatu, particularly in the Ogbaulu community. We are calling on the government at all levels to come to the aid of Agatu people. We are now living at the mercies of God and that of herdsmen”.
Confirming the attacks, the caretaker Chairman, Agatu LGA, Mr. Yakubu Ochepo, said about four people died even though he was yet to get the final report. Ochepo also confirmed that the invaders came from Apa side to carry out their dastardly acts.
“As I’m talking to you now, OPWS has mobilised over 400 personnel to Agatu. The soldiers went in, immediately, in the night. I can confirm to you, there are casualties of about four people. But I have not got 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 concern 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 mobilised over 400 personnel to Agatu. More than 100 soldiers are currently stationed in Ogbaulu to avert further attack”, Ochepo said.
