At least four persons have been killed in a fresh attack by suspected armed herders in Agatu Local Government Area, deepening security concerns in the area.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday morning along the Aila Odugheho road, where the victims were said to be heading to a neighbouring community before they were ambushed.
A resident, Danny Uloko, told journalists that the attackers laid in wait for the victims and struck without warning.
“The victims were on their way to a nearby community when they were ambushed and killed,” he said.
Those reportedly killed have been identified as Ochefije Elijah Ojema, Igojuju Husaini, Odiya Ochowehi and Ochoyoda Adejo.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, said four people lost their lives in the attack.
Ejeh noted that heightened security presence in the area had made it difficult for assailants to launch large-scale invasions, forcing them to adopt ambush tactics.
“Because of the security measures in place, they now resort to ambush attacks, which are more difficult to prevent. Clearance operations are, however, ongoing,” he said.
He added that security operatives, including police personnel and local vigilantes, had been deployed to the area to comb surrounding forests and track down the perpetrators.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive an official report on the incident, noting that efforts to reach the Divisional Police Officer in Agatu had not been successful.
The latest attack comes amid a resurgence of violence in the area, following a similar incident in which gunmen reportedly killed a traditional ruler, his wife, son and two others in a nearby community.
