A devastating attack by suspected herders has left at least six people dead and thousands displaced in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. The attackers invaded Iwari and Olagagbenea communities, killing one person in Iwari and five in Olagagbenea.
According to an anonymous source, the armed herders have encircled several villages in Agatu, killing residents in their farms and homes. The attacks occurred on August 23 and 24, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement.
Phillip Ebenyakwu, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Agatu LGA, confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the ongoing violence. He stated that the attackers’ motives are unclear, but their actions are unbearable.
Ebenyakwu highlighted the challenge of managing the displaced people, with over 2,000 individuals forced to flee from at least seven villages. He acknowledged that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) provided some relief materials, but they were insufficient.
The Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, stated that she had not received information about the killings, indicating a possible delay in official response to the crisis.
