Gunmen, suspected to be armed herdsmen militia, have killed a woman, her son and two others in two communities of Agatu Local Government ,Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened yesterday morning at Egwuma and Ogbai communities in the LG.
As at the time of filing this report, locals told newsmen that two other persons were still missing and have not been seen.
A local from Egwuma, Inalegwu told newsmen on phone that the suspected armed herders stormed the two communities and attacked the villagers without provocation.
Inalegwu said,”Some herdsmen attacked Egwuma and Ogbai communities today, they killed a woman and his son,who were working on their farm and also killed two others at the neighbouring Ogbai community.
“As am talking to you now, two people are still missing and we are searching for them.
Chairman of Agatu LG, Melvin James, who confirmed the incident,described it as senseless and barbaric.
He said,”This is unprovoked attack on our people, it’s senseless and barbaric. How could people attack and kill a mother and her son who were working on their farm.
“The incident happened today (Wednesday) at Egwuma where they killed an innocent mother and her son working on their farm and the other two people were killed at a neighbouring Ogbai community.”
While commending the security personnel deployed to the area, the chairman said that the attack was unleashed on the two communities at the time the security personnel were on surveillance of other villages
“The security operatives in Agatu have been doing their best to beef up security but the problem in my council is the bad roads. At the time the incident happened, the security men were on surveillance of other areas,” he said.
Benue state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet ,said she was on tour and had not receive the report yet.
“As you can hear voices underground, we are on tour and I am yet to get the report, but I will get back to you later,” Edet said.
In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, said he had not also received the report.
