Suspected armed herders have reportedly killed four people in a fresh attack on Aila Odugheho in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident, according to a local source, occurred on Sunday morning when the victims were said to be walking along the Aila Odugheho road to a nearby village.
A resident, who identified himself as Danny Uloko, told journalists in a telephone interview that the suspected herders ambushed the victims on their way to the community.
Uloko said, “The victims were walking along Aila Odugheho road to a nearby community when the Fulani herders ambushed them and killed them.”
He gave the names of the deceased as Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowehi, and Ochoyoda Adejo.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the attack, stating that four people were killed.
Ejeh said that due to the presence of security operatives in the area, armed herders now find it difficult to invade some communities and have resorted to ambush tactics.
“It is true the incident happened today (Sunday morning). Four of our people were killed.
“Because of the robust security strategies we have put in place in the communities, it is now difficult to attack and overrun any community in Agatu Local Government Area.
“Hence, they have resorted to ambush, which is more difficult to confront. However, clearance operations are currently ongoing to rid the community forest of bandits,” he said.
Ejeh added that security agencies, including the Divisional Police Officer and local vigilantes, were already in the area carrying out clearance operations.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive a report, noting that efforts to reach the Agatu Divisional Police Officer had been unsuccessful.
“I am yet to get the report because I have not been able to reach the DPO in Agatu,” she said.
Killings by suspected armed herders and local militias have intensified in recent days in the local government area.
Penultimate Thursday, gunmen invaded Olegabulu community in the same Agatu LGA and killed a traditional ruler, his wife, son, and two others.
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