At least five people have been killed and a youth leader reportedly missing in a fresh attack on communities in two local government areas of Benue State.
Villagers said that the incident happened separately at Atakpa community in Agatu LGA and in Iwili, Otukpo LGA of the state on Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Local farmers of Iwili community in Otukpo LGA alleged that one person identified as Obi Tylor Ibinta, was killed during the invasion by the armed invaders, while another four were killed in Atakpa village of Agatu LGA.
Confirming the attack to the Daily Trust, chairman of Agatu local government council, Joseph Ngbede, said that suspected hoodlums invaded Atakpa on Thursday around 5pm and shot randomly during which four people were killed, while the youth leader’s whereabouts have not been established after the incident.
“I can confirm that four people were shot dead, one (youth leader) missing and one injured in the Atakpa village attack by armed herders,” Ngbede said.
“It was a random shooting at Atakpa to be precise by 5pm on Thursday and their mission was unknown to us. It was unexpected, the last time we checked, we don’t believe that Atakpa had any issue with them. The youth leader from Atakpa is missing. The police is still searching.
“And as we speak, there are threats to Ogbaulu, near Atakpa. The village has never been attacked but there is a threat now that they are coming.”
Sunday Oteyi, a former council secretary of Agatu, who confirmed the incident said that four people were killed in Atakpa, a village close to Oshigbugdu while some were hospitalised.
Meanwhile, the State Secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Galma, said they were unaware of what actually happened in Agatu and Otukpo respectively since there were no herders’ resident in the troubled areas.
He said the association was meeting in Makurdi at the time of this report over the crisis in the affected communities.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed that there was an attack on Agatu but gave no details yet.
“Attack on Agatu is confirmed but detailed report has not been sent yet,” Anene added
