Violence Erupts In Benue As Suspected Herdsmen Claim Two Lives And Burn Houses

Violence Erupts In Benue As Suspected Herdsmen Claim Two Lives And Burn HousesGunmen believed to be herdsmen attacked two communities in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and the destruction of homes.

The separate assaults occurred between Thursday and Friday, October 11, 2024, in the Ikpelle and Egwuma communities located in the riverine regions of Agatu.

Local resident Joseph Adakole reported to news outlets in Makurdi over the weekend that these recent attacks have displaced returning members of the communities once again.

He described the situation as more devastating than previous assaults on the predominantly farming and fishing communities.

Adakole expressed concern that without urgent action from security forces, their villages might become uninhabitable, as armed invaders recently set many houses ablaze in Egwuma.

Melvin Ejeh, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, confirmed the incidents and expressed his sorrow over the attacks.

“I have just received heartbreaking news about an assault on the Egwuma community in the Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward, where armed herders and cattle rustlers burned several houses and looted livestock and properties worth millions,” he stated.

He extended his sympathies to the residents of Egwuma and its surroundings, urging calm while emphasizing ongoing efforts to find a lasting solution to this long-standing crisis.

“We have requested the immediate deployment of security personnel to the area to restore peace, and we are also working on a comprehensive solution that will be implemented soon,” Ejeh added.

“My administration is committed to prioritizing the rebuilding of communities and ensuring that every Agatu citizen can safely return home. Agatu is our home, and no one should be forced to live as a displaced person in their ancestral land.

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