Suspected herders, over the weekend, killed three farmers in separate attacks in Entekpa and Idabi communities of Otupko local government area of Benue state, authorities have said.
Confirming the incidents, the chairman of Otukpo local government, Alfred Omakwu, said one person was killed at his farm in Entekpa village before the attackers moved up to Adoka’icho where they killed two other farmers at Idabi village.
The chairman who was on his way to the affected communities at the time of filing this report said Entekpa which comprises nine villages is now completely deserted, leaving the attackers to move freely. “Three of our people were killed by armed herdsmen during the weekend. The first attack happened at Entekpa where one farmer was killed. Then the attacks moved to Adako’Icho at Idabi village and killed two others working on their farm,” he said.
He called for help from both federal and state governments to deploy security personnel to the area to nip the attacks and killing in the bud.
“These attacks have persisted since the beginning of the season but we are appealing to the federal and state government to quickly come to our aid with security deployment to halt the attack,” he pleaded.
According to him, the communities have been deserted when farmers are supposed to be preparing for the planting season.
The attackers had launched assaults on several communities in Otukpo, Apa, Agatu, Gwer west, Makurdi, Guma, Logo, Ukum, Kwande, and Gwer east local government areas where eighteen persons were killed on March 7th, 2024, and later given mass burial by the state government.
