36 Feared Killed By Fulani Herdsmen In Benue Attack

 

At least 36 persons were, yesterday, feared killed as 7 villages were overrun by suspected Fulani herdsmen in an outbreak of fighting between the invaders and native farmers in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The carnage occurred barely two days after some assailants struck at Ikpele and Okpopolo communities in the state, killing seven farmers and displacing over 6,000 inhabitants.

It was learnt by the journalists at the time of this report, that the massacre was still going on between the warring parties who only recently engaged in bloodletting.

One of the vistims, who managed to escape the assault, said that Fulani herdsmen had invaded the people's villages from Loco in Nasarawa State and Omola Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He added,

“But as I speak to you, well over 36 persons must have been killed on our own side while many are still missing; the situation on ground is horrible because fighting is still going on while women, children and the elderly are fleeing to safety.”

When contacted, the Benue State Commissioner for Works and Transport, John Ngbede, stated,

"The attackers are burning down houses, farmlands, economic trees and many are also being killed but i cannot confirm the number of deaths. All I can say is that Agatu is boiling”.

According to the member representing Agatu Constituency at the Benue State House of Assembly, Sule Audu, the attackers are over 5,000 spread across all the communities, they move towards Oshugbudu.

"Now and I ask, what can less than 40 soldiers on ground do to stop armed invaders numbering up to 5,000?”

However, the state Secretary of Myetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alh. Garus Gololo, denied that the invaders were Fulani herdsmen. According to his words, he doesn't know who has been attacking Agatu recently, as there is not any Fulani person currently residing in the area

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Suprentendent, Daniel Ezeala, assured the journalists that the police and army had been directed to the communities and that the situation was under control.

Source: Vanguard