As soon as once more, armed males, suspected to be armed herdsmen, have invaded two communities, Ikpele and Okpokpolo, in Agatu Native Authorities Space of Benue State and killed two individuals.
Tuesday's assault got here barely every week after suspected armed herdsmen launched an assault on some communities within the council, resulting in the killing of three troopers and two others.
Confirming the assault, the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Main Basic Sunday Igbinowanhia, mentioned the 2 troopers and personnel of the Nigeria Safety and Civil Protection Corps have been killed whereas stopping the assault in Okokolo.
He had mentioned: “The success achieved, nonetheless, got here at an enormous price, with three of the troops making the supreme sacrifice to forestall the killing of the residents of Okokolo and the meant plunder of the group.”
A group supply, who recognized himself merely as Oche, advised our correspondent on Wednesday that “one other assault befell yesterday (Tuesday) night time.”
“They (gunmen) attacked Ikpele and Okpokpolo and different locations final night time and we’re but to seek out out the precise variety of deaths.
“There was a critical battle till about 10 p.m. Two our bodies have been recovered to date. Many homes have been burned. Throughout the attacked group, a minimum of seventeen homes have been burned final night time,” Oche mentioned.
He added that residents of the affected communities had left their properties.
Mike Inalegwu, a former Commissioner for Info, Tradition and Tourism from the native authorities, confirmed the assault, saying stress was excessive within the council space.
He mentioned: “The reality is that yesterday (Tuesday), the armed herdsmen attacked Okpokpolo village and killed two individuals whereas the villagers have been considering their speculative assault on Ogbai group.
“Rigidity is excessive and the seven villages on the Kogi border of the native authorities are abandoned. That is authoritative.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, Catherine Anene, mentioned she had not but acquired the data.
However Governor Hyacinth Alia's Particular Advisor for Safety and House Affairs, Joseph Har, additionally confirmed the assault. Nevertheless, he mentioned he had not been advised that folks had been killed.
