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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
At least, more than 15 persons have been killed in an attack allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani militia on Ojatele community, in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
A local from the area told newsmen on phone in Makurdi, that the attack which occurred on Friday afternoon, left many people with varying degrees of injuries, while several others were still missing.
The local, who pleaded not to be named for fear of victimisation, disclosed that the attackers arrived with a large number of cattle and suddenly opened fire on residents who were returning from their farm.
He said: “It was an unprovoked attack. The armed herders came with large cows, and were grazing unhindered. But they saw some women and children who went to their cashew farms to collect cashew nuts. On their way back home, the armed herdsmen suddenly opened fire and started shooting innocent people and overran the community.
“The number of dead victims and those injured would have been more than the figure we have seen if not because our people started running away. So far, we have recovered about 15 corpses and 11 other people that were injured. We have evacuated the injured ones to the hospital in Ugbokpo, headquarters of Apa LGA.”
Another member of the community, who identified himself as Abu Abel, confirmed the incident, saying: “It was herdsmen that attacked the community this afternoon and killed over 15 persons.”
Abel described the incident as unprovoked and unwarranted saying: “Our community is now completely deserted. We are calling on government to come to our aid. There is no security in the whole area. These were innocent people who went to look for their daily bread that were killed unjustifiably.”
When contacted, Apa Local Government Chairman, Mr. Adams Ochega, confirmed the incidence, but said he was yet to get full report of the attack.
At the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command was yet to issue any official statement and the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comments.
