Some suspected armed men, reported to be herders, allegedly attacked a community in Benue state, killing 5 residents. Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue state police command, Sewuese Anene, said the herders attacked Egwuma community, in Agatu local government and confirmed the number of casualties to be five (5).
Anene added that the police command has mobilized more personnel to the community to restore peace and safeguard lives and properties.
Reacting to the news, the member representing Agatu community in the Benue state house of assembly, Mr. Godwin Edoh, said the unfortunate incident was a part of a growing pattern, condemned the act and called on security officials to be more proactive and prevent such attacks in the future. Mr. Edoh also disputed the figure put forward by the police, claiming the casualties were 12 not 5, as the state police reported.
“Government has to be decisive about what to do about this area because it is so porous. 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,’’ he said.
