On Sunday, suspected armed herders launched separate attacks on Benue communities, resulting in the deaths of 13 people.
Local sources reported that 12 individuals were killed in Egwuma, Agatu, and one displaced person was killed upon returning from a farm in Gwer West Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. In addition, one displaced person was injured, and five others are still missing, according to locals who spoke with journalists via telephone on Monday.
In Egwuma, Agatu LGA, the community experienced a deadly assault by suspected armed herders. Godwin Edoh, a lawmaker representing the Agatu state constituency at the House of Assembly, confirmed the fatalities. “We are tired of this daily killing at Ogbumogbo, Ejima, and all those areas down to Ikpele. Those villages have been deserted for close to one year, essentially becoming a Fulani colony. This attack happened yesterday (Sunday), and 12 people were killed,” Edoh stated.
When asked about the governor’s claim that relative peace had returned and that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were returning to their ancestral homes, Edoh dismissed it as false. “It’s a lie. They are talking nonsense. There is no peace anywhere. Even the IDPs they said have returned, if you go there you will see them. I don’t know why they use propaganda; it’s not correct,” he said.
In Gwer West LGA, suspected armed herders attacked displaced persons returning from their farms on Sunday, resulting in one death, one injury, and five missing persons. Jacob Terna, a former camp manager at the Agagbe IDP camp, reported, “Armed Fulani herders attacked and killed Mr. Ikyumbu Aondowase, 30, while Mr. Achin Terzungwe, 45, was badly injured, and five others are missing.” Terna added that the suspected herders ambushed the displaced people as they returned from their farms.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the killings of five people in the Agatu community but stated she was unaware of the incident in Agagbe, Gwer West LGA. “There was an attack in Agatu, and about five persons were killed. In Gwer West, I am not aware of that,” Anene said.
