Tragedy Unfolds In Benue: Armed Herders Claim 15 Lives In Agatu Assault

Tragedy Unfolds In Benue: Armed Herders Claim 15 Lives In Agatu Assault

A devastating attack by armed herdsmen on the Ugboju community in Benue State’s Agatu Local Government Area has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 15 lives….CONTINUE READING

The assault, which occurred on Wednesday evening, left numerous individuals injured, with several others still missing.

Children of various ages were reportedly among the missing, having been abducted by the assailants and taken to neighboring Nasarawa State, where the attack originated.

Inalegwu, a local source, recounted how the marauders, arriving from Nasarawa State around 5 pm, surrounded the village and indiscriminately fired upon its unsuspecting residents.

According to Inalegwu, the attackers not only claimed lives but also seized numerous children who were unable to escape with their parents. The exact number of abducted children remains unknown, and alongside them, many individuals are reported missing, while others sustained injuries during the violent incident.

The assailants have been consistently launching attacks on Agatu communities from Nasarawa State since the beginning of the year, leaving the community in shock and confusion. Despite having no previous issues with the attackers, the motive behind the relentless assaults remains unclear.

Expressing deep concern, Godwin Edoh, the representative of Agatu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, lamented that Agatu land has become a killing field due to the continuous onslaught by armed herdsmen.

He conveyed his frustration as a representative and shared graphic images of the tragic incident with both the governor and deputy governor via WhatsApp.

When contacted for a statement, Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, mentioned not having received information from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Agatu LGA.

Anene indicated that there were multiple police teams deployed to Agatu, awaiting updates from the DPO regarding the situation. The search for the missing and recovery of bodies is ongoing, heightening concerns about the escalating violence in the region.