Two Feared Killed as Gunmen Attack Benue Community

Two people were feared killed by suspected armed herders who invaded and attacked the Atakpa community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident which happened on Monday night was said to have created fear among the villagers, some of whom have fled the community.

A local source who simply identified himself as Sunny told journalists in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the suspected armed herders invaded the community Monday night.

He said, “These Fulani herdsmen invaded Atakpa community in Agatu LGA yesterday (Monday) night and killed two youths who attempted to repel them.

“If you can recall, some communities in the neighbouring Apa LGA were attacked on Friday and Sunday evening, killing several people.

“As a result of this, some of our youths who are members of the vigilance group were on surveillance of the Atakpa community when they encountered the Fulani herdsmen and in the process of repelling them, they shot and killed two of them.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the chairman of the council, Melvin Ejeh, were not successful as his phone rang out.

Meanwhile, the state command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who confirmed the attack on the Atakpa community, said that one person was missing and another was injured.

Edet said, “Yes, there was a report of an attack on the Atakpa community, but nobody was killed. But a stray bullet hit one person, who is now receiving treatment at the hospital, while one other person is missing.

“However, the search is ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.”

The Monday attack happened barely 24 hours after the attack on the people of Edikwu Ankpali in Apa LG, where several people were reportedly killed.

On Thursday night, some gunmen invaded Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed at least eight people, who were members of the same family.