A tragic incident has been reported in Agatu Local Government Area, Benue State, where a mother, her son, and two other individuals were brutally killed during fresh attacks on Egwuma and Ogbai communities.
The attack, which occurred on Wednesday morning, also left several people injured, while others remain unaccounted for.
According to an eyewitness from Egwuma, identified as Inalegwu, the assailants believed to be armed herders stormed the farming communities, taking residents by surprise.
He explained: “Some Fulani herdsmen attacked Egwuma and Ogbai communities today. They killed a woman and her son who were working on their farm, and also murdered two others in Ogbai. As I speak to you, two people are still missing and we are searching for them.”
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, described the assault as “unprovoked, senseless, and barbaric.” He condemned the killing of the innocent victims, especially a mother and her son who were simply tending to their farm.
James further revealed that while security personnel in the area have been working hard to maintain peace, poor road conditions hindered timely intervention. He said the attackers struck while the operatives were on patrol in other parts of the council.
“The security operatives in Agatu have been doing their best to strengthen surveillance. Unfortunately, the bad roads are a major challenge. At the time of the incident, security men were monitoring other communities,” he stated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was on official tour and had yet to receive a formal report on the attack.
