Seven farmers have been killed in fresh attacks by suspected herdsmen in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, occurring between Wednesday and Thursday morning. The affected communities are located within Agatu LGA, a region that has experienced repeated herdsmen-related violence in recent years, leading to displacement and disruption of farming activities.
According to sources, the herdsmen initially displaced residents from their farms in Obagaji on Wednesday. Subsequently, they launched coordinated attacks on the Ogwumogbo and Okpokpolo communities in the early hours of Thursday.
A source familiar with the incidents stated, “Fulani herdsmen chased people from their farms yesterday at Obagaji community in Agatu and earlier this morning, they invaded Ogwumogbo and Okpokpolo communities in Agatu local government areas of Benue State and killed 7 people.”
Another resident expressed distress, lamenting, “There’s no peace in Agatu as some of us claim, we need help.”
When contacted, Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, confirmed that Agatu LGA has been under siege. However, she could not immediately confirm the reported fatalities.
These recent attacks have instilled panic and fear within the affected communities, prompting residents to flee in search of safety.
Previously, in April, two Nigerian Army officers and seven civilians were reportedly killed by suspected herders in an attack on the Jato-Aka community, located in Benue State’s Kwande Local Government Area (LGA).
