Thirteen persons have lost their lives in attacks on Benue communities on Sunday, with suspicions pointing to armed herders as the assailants.
Locals reported that 12 people lost their lives in Egwuma, Agatu Local Government Area, and another person, a displaced individual returning from a farm, was killed in Gwer West Local Government Area.
In a telephone conversation with journalists on Monday, locals disclosed that one displaced person was injured, and five others are missing.
Confirming the report, a lawmaker representing the Agatu state constituency at the House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, said 12 people were killed.
He said, “We are tired of these daily killings. At Ogbumogbo, Ejima and all those areas down to Ikpele, those villages have been deserted for almost one year. So, those places are like the Fulani colony.
“This one happened yesterday (Sunday), 12 people were killed.”
He debunked the report that peace had returned to the area, stating, “Even the IDPs they said have returned home, If you go there, you will see them there. I don’t know why they use propaganda, it’s not correct.”
In Gwer West LGA, suspected armed herders were reported to have attacked some displaced persons who were returning from their farms on Sunday.
During the ensuing melee, one person was killed, one injured and five others still missing.
A former camp manager in Agagbe IDP camp, Jacob Terna, said, “Armed herders attacked and killed Mr Ikyumbu Aondowase, 30 years, while Mr Achin Terzungwe, 45 years, was badly injured and five others missing.”
He stated that the suspected armed herders launched a surprise attack on the displaced people as they returned from their farms.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, confirmed the Agatu community killings, which resulted in five deaths, but said she was unaware of any incident occurring in Agagbe.
“There was an attack in Agatu, about five persons were killed but in Gwer West, I am not aware of that,” he said.
![#Edodecides2024: Obaseki calls for calm, hints at legal action [VIDEO]](https://thediscovererng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/download-6-3-120x86.jpeg)
