Gunmen kill six in two Benue communities

No fewer than six people were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be armed herders in a renewed attack on two communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The two attacks, according to residents, occurred on Friday in the local government’s Iwari and Olegagbane communities.

A resident who simply identified himself as Adayi said that one person was killed in Iwari community, and five others lost their lives in Olegagbane community.

Adayi said, “Some armed invaders attacked the Iwari community on Friday, killed one person and injured several others the same day they moved to Olegagbane community, where they killed five people.

When contacted, the Chairman of the local government, Phillip Ebenyakwu, confirmed the incidents and expressed concern over incessant attacks in the area.

He said, “It’s true. The incident confirmed that the attackers came, killed, stole, and looted before they fled the affected communities.

“I don’t know their motives, but these attacks are unbearable. I am communicating with security agencies, and they are working on it.”

The chairman, who decried the incessant attacks and killings in his local government, said that it’s becoming overwhelming and unbearable to manage the over 2,000 displaced people from various communities affected by armed herders invasion.

He stated that about nine villages had been sacked by invaders.

“The number of displaced people is overwhelming, though the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) did provide some relief materials, but they are not sufficient,” he added.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, said in a text message that she was not aware of the incident.