Over 60 killed in Benue communities in three months

OVER 60 lives have been lost to the renewed attacks by suspected armed herders who invaded communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State in three months.

This is just as about 10 communities sacked with no fewer than five already desolate following unabated attacks that occurred between the same period.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the latest attacks on Agatu communities began in November 2023 and have continued till date.

The lawmaker representing Agatu State constituency in the Benue State Assembly, Godwin Edo, stated that the attackers always pass messages of their planned attack to the communities.

He listed the communities that have become desolate to include Ikpele, Ugboju, Okokolo, Okunogbo, Ejima, Opokolofo, Ejienyin, Okokolo.

Edoh said, “Our encounter with herders dates back 10 years but the latest one started in November 2023.

“Since the latest crisis started, about 60 people have been killed and ten communities affected. No fewer than six of these communities have been completely sacked with no soul living there.

“The major problem is that anytime they (armed herders) are coming to attack, they always send a message. In fact, we heard that they have sent a message of their impending attack today (Saturday).

The lawmaker lamented that governments at both state and federal level have turned deaf ears to the cries of Agatu people.

He said: “Our cries to government and other security agencies for help have fallen on deaf ears so we are just left at the mercy of God.

“What have my people done to this government in the state and at the federal level? I totally condemn this attack on innocent people of Agatu by these armed herdsmen who are bent on taking over and occupying our ancestral home by force.”

Edoh added, “It’s like we have been abandoned because we have done our best to draw the attention of the government to the plight of our people but nothing has been done.

“I have forwarded all the above (gory photos of dead bodies recovered) to the WhatsApp lines of both the governor, Father Hyacinth Alia and his deputy, Sam Ode.”

Meanwhile, the lawmaker said that more security had been deployed to the local government to beef up security and ward off the armed herders in the area.

He said, “I just received information that military personnel have been deployed to our community to beef up security and halt the movement of these armed herders who always come from Nasarawa State.

Also lending his voice, the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, who hails from the council area, said that the attacks on Agatu communities were unprovoked.

“They just come over and attack our people without provocation,” Inalegwu said.

He, however, applauded the security men for their efforts, saying every time, “you see them patrolling the forest and riverside.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the governor, on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, described as falsehood claims that the government had abandoned the people.

He said: “You should have made your findings and not ask me a question whether the government has abandoned them. You should have noticed the increase of military presence there.”

Efforts to get the state command were not successful as repeated calls made to the spokesperson, Catherine Anene, rang out.