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By Ijeoma Obioma
Six people have been killed in two separate attacks by armed herders on rural communities of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that one person was killed in the Iwari community, while five others lost their lives on Friday in the Olegagbane community of the same LGA.
A local resident, who requested anonymity, reported that armed attackers have been targeting rural dwellers in Agatu, killing them at their farms and homes.
He said that the armed invaders attacked the Iwari community in Agatu LGA, killing one person and injuring several others while on Friday, August 23, 2024, they also attacked the Olegagbane community, killing five people.
Phillip Ebenyakwu, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, confirmed the incidents and expressed concern over the ongoing violence in the area.
“It’s true, the situation has been confirmed,” he stated.
The chairman added, “The attackers come, kill, steal, loot, and then flee. I don’t know their motives, but these attacks are unbearable. I am in communication with security agencies, and they are working on it.”
Ebenyakwu also spoke about the challenges of managing the displaced people from the affected communities, noting that over 2,000 people have been displaced from at least seven, possibly nine, villages.
“The number of displaced people is overwhelming, though the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) did provide some relief materials, it was not sufficient,” he added.
However, SP Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Benue Command, said in a text message that she was not yet aware of the incident.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
