By Citizenship Daily
No fewer than 15 persons have been reportedly killed while several others sustained various degrees of injury in a renewed attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a source who pleaded anonymity, the attack started on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning with 15 persons killed in Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo communities respectively.
“There is a small stream there, called Abekoko, one Ali from Ogwumogbo and five others whose names were not known yet, where killed. Other bodies were later discovered in the 2 days attack.
“Our farming communities is now deserted, with residents fleeing to neighboring areas for safety.
“The situation is dire, especially for women and children, who are urgently in need of assistance.
“We call on Benue State Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Dr. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia as well as security personnel to kindly swing into action to put an end to this unfortunate massacre of our people by criminal herders”, the source said.
The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council Melvin James said, “I am too emotional to speak on this incident. This is the first time we are witnessing this, since I became Chairman; I am sad.”
When contacted, the chairman of Miyietti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN Benue State chapter, Mohammed Risku, said he is in a meeting and promised to call back.
Effort to get confirmation from the Benue State Command via the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Catherine Anene proved abortive as she could not respond to text messages and calls put across to her cell phone.
