Suspected herdsmen k!ll five in Benue community

Suspected herders have k!lled five persons in Egwuma community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. 

The herdsmen attacked the community on Sunday, July 14, 2024, k!lling the villagers. 

A source said youths searched the bush and recovered five dead bodies of villagers.

He added that youths have mobilised themselves to defend the community from the invaders and security agencies have been informed. 

The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi on Monday.

Anene said the Command had deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain peace.

A member, representing Agatu constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Godwin Edoh, also confirmed the attack but put the number of victims at 12. 

The lawmaker lamented the incessant k!llings of his constituents and called on governments and security agencies to take proactive measures in curtailing the attack.

“Government has to be decisive about what to do about this area because it is so porous,” he said. 

“The Ogbumogbo, Ejima and other villages down to Ikpele, have been deserted for close to one year

“The herders come over to the deserted villages with their cattle for grazing in the morning and leave in the evening.

“They are able to do these, because the villagers had left their communities for fear of attacks and the security agents are not doing enough to address this development.”