Gunmen kill four in fresh Benue attack

Rampaging gunmen, suspected to be armed herders, have killed four persons, including two soldiers, in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The armed men were said to have carried out the attack after invading some communities, including Abugbe, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, and Olegobidu.

City Round learnt that the two soldiers stationed at the council area on peacekeeping were shot dead when the armed herdsmen ambushed them while on official patrol of the areas.

Some residents told our correspondent that the attacks, which began a few days earlier, became worse when the gunmen moved to Okokolo and attacked the people.

Two political leaders from the local government area confirmed the attack and killing on Friday.

The lawmaker representing Agatu constituency in the state House of Assembly, said, “Yes, the attack was from herdsmen. It happened yesterday (Thursday). We had casualties, some were injured and we lost some lives.

“What happened was there were threats of attacks on some villages, Ocholonya, and Ugboju K’Ugbe for the past six days. Those people deserted their place and relocated to Okokolo. So, it was Okokolo that herdsmen came to attack them yesterday.

“Those are the displaced villages for now. We have lost about two people so far. A lot of people were injured and we are still monitoring their medication.”

Similarly, a former Commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, confirmed that two soldiers were killed while one person had been missing.

“One of the soldiers is missing because when they dialed his number, it was the voice of a Fulani that they heard from the other side,” he added.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, could not be reached for comments.

The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, confirmed the attack but said he had no details as of the time of filing this report.