Suspected herdsmen launched a deadly attack on Eguma village in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday, killing two soldiers and seven villagers, including the village head.
A former lawmaker representing the Agatu constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Audu Sule, confirmed the incident in a telephone call with our correspondent.
According to Sule, the attackers stormed Eguma village around 3 p.m. and began killing residents.
“The herdsmen invaded Eguma village and started killing people. Soldiers stationed at Ogwule, just a few meters away, responded quickly to the distress call, but unfortunately, two of them were killed along with the village head and six other villagers,” Sule said.
The attack brings the total number of casualties to nine. Sule further lamented that this was the fourth such assault on the Eguma and Ogwule villages in the last month, expressing grave concern over the rising insecurity in the area.
He noted that although the military engaged the suspected herdsmen in a gun battle, the attackers managed to flee after the casualties were recorded.
Despite the rising tension, Benue State police spokesperson, Sewuese Anene, said the police command had yet to receive any formal report on the incident or any intelligence sharing from the military regarding the Agatu attacks.
This attack has reignited concerns over the ongoing conflict between local communities and herdsmen in Benue State, raising questions about security measures in the region.
