In a tragic incident, gunmen attacked communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday, resulting in the reported deaths of four individuals, including two soldiers. The armed assailants targeted villages such as Abugbe, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, and Olegobidu.
The attack unfolded as the gunmen ambushed two soldiers on patrol in the affected areas, leading to the death of the soldiers and two other individuals. The violence had reportedly been escalating over the past few days, with the situation worsening when the assailants moved to Okokolo and attacked the residents.
Confirming the attacks, Godwin Edo, the lawmaker representing the Agatu state constituency in the state House of Assembly, attributed the violence to herdsmen. He disclosed that there had been threats of attacks on villages such as Ocholonya and Ugboju K’ Ugbe in the preceding six days, prompting residents to relocate to Okokolo. Edo reported two casualties, injuries to several people, and ongoing monitoring of their medical conditions.
Former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, provided additional details, stating that the armed herdsmen attacked Okokolo, Ugboju, and Akpa. The soldiers, stationed at Akpu, were ambushed during a patrol, resulting in the death of their commander and two others, with one soldier reported missing.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. However, Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to the state governors on Security and Internal Affairs, confirmed the attack. He mentioned that Deputy Governor and security chiefs in the state had gone to the affected area for a spot assessment.
The incident adds to the series of attacks witnessed in the state over the past year, contributing to a grim toll of over 5,000 people killed within seven years, as reported by the state Commissioner for Information, Mike Inalegwu, in 2023. The authorities are expected to provide more details as the situation unfolds.