4 individuals, together with two troopers, have been reportedly killed by gunmen who invaded some communities in Agatu Native Authorities Space of Benue State on Friday.
The gunmen reportedly attacked some communities inside the native authorities, resulting in the loss of life of two individuals.
A number of the villages attacked are Abugbe, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho and Olegobidu
Two of the troopers stationed within the council space for peacekeeping have been reportedly shot useless when the gunmen ambushed them whereas they have been on patrol within the areas.
Some indigenes advised our correspondent that the assault had began for just a few days till it worsened when the armed males moved to Okokolo and attacked the individuals.
Godwin Edo confirmed the assaults on Agatu communities, the lawmaker representing Agatu State constituency within the Home of Representatives, saying two villagers have been killed.
Edo mentioned, “Sure, the assault was by herdsmen. It occurred yesterday (Thursday).
“We had casualties, some have been injured and we misplaced some lives. What occurred was that within the final six days there have been threats of assaults on some villages, Ocholonya and Ugboju Ok'Ugbe.
“So these individuals left their houses and moved to Okokolo. So it’s in Okokolo that herdsmen got here to assault them yesterday (Thursday). For now, these are the displaced villages.
“To this point we now have misplaced about two individuals. Many individuals have been injured and we’re nonetheless monitoring their remedy.”
In a separate phone dialog, former Commissioner for Data Tradition and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, mentioned two troopers had been killed and one lacking.
Inalegwu mentioned: “Herdsmen got here with their militia and fired weapons at Okokolo, Ugboju and Akpa, inflicting individuals to flee from their villages. So the troopers have been on patrol after they have been ambushed by the armed herdsmen.
“The troopers have been stationed in Akpu, my village reverse my home, for the previous eight years. Once they heard gunshots, they determined to go and see the place the gunshots have been coming from, however whereas they have been patrolling, the herders ambushed them.
“They shot their commander and killed two others. One of many troopers is lacking.”
Efforts to contact state police public relations officer Catherine Anene have been unsuccessful when her telephone rang.
In the meantime, Particular Adviser to State Governors Hyacinth Alia on Safety and Residence Affairs Joseph Har confirmed the assault however mentioned he had no particulars.
Har mentioned: “It’s true that there was an assault on Agatu communities yesterday (Thursday) however I’ve no particulars for now. Nonetheless, the deputy governor and state safety chiefs have gone there for an on-site evaluation.”
Over the previous 12 months, the state witnessed a number of assaults on varied communities.
The state Commissioner for Data, Inelagwu, mentioned in 2023 that greater than 5,000 individuals had been killed within the state inside seven years.