Tragedy struck in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Wednesday when armed men suspected to be herdsmen launched a daylight attack on two farming communities, killing at least four people.
The incident, which occurred in Egwuma and Ogbai villages around midday, claimed the lives of four farmers, including a woman and her son. Two other residents are still missing following the assault.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants stormed the villages while farmers were working on their farmlands and opened fire indiscriminately. “They came in large numbers and started shooting at innocent people in their farms,” a resident who identified himself as Oglewu told our correspondent.
Another source, who pleaded anonymity, said the communities remain tense, with families fleeing to nearby villages for safety.
He said, “Some Fulani herdsmen attacked Egwuma and Ogbai communities today, they killed a woman and his son who were working in their farm and also killed two others at the neighbouring Ogbai community.
“As I am talking to you now, two farmers are still missing, and the youths are combing the communities to recover the corpses for burial.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, confirmed the incident and described it as ‘senseless and barbaric.’ He said the attack was unprovoked.
“This is an unprovoked attack on our people; it is senseless and barbaric. How could people attack and kill a mother and her son who were working on their farm?
“The incident happened today (Wednesday) at Egwuma, where they killed an innocent mother and her son working on their farm, and the other two people were killed at a neighbouring Ogbai community.
James, who applauded the security men deployed to the area, said that the attack was unleashed on the two communities at the time the security personnel were on surveillance at the other villages.
He said, “The security operatives in Agatu have been doing their best to beef up security, but the problem in my council is the bad roads. When the incident happened, the security men were monitoring other areas.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive the report and was on tour.
Edet said, “As you can hear voices underground, we are on tour, and I have yet to get the report, but I will get back to you later.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, also said he had yet to receive the report and asked our correspondent to contact the affected council chairman