2 soldiers, monarch, six others killed in Benue

Armed invaders have reportedly killed two soldiers, a village head, and six residents in Egwuma, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Locals said that the incident occured at about 5pm on Tuesday.

A villager, who preferred anonymity, said the attackers carted away the soldiers’ weapons including a gun, after killing two of them and seriously injuring one.

Sule Audu, a former member of the State House of Assembly representing Agatu constituency, told our correspondent on the telephone that at least nine people including the two soldiers, the head of Egwuma and six villagers were killed during the attack on the community.

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He said, “The incident happened between 4pm and 5pm on Tuesday. The bandits attacked Egwuma through Akile axis, boycotting the road where soldiers were stationed. They opened fire on people in their houses. They killed the clan head of the village and six others as well as two soldiers and carted away soldiers’ arms.

“One of the soldiers was seriously wounded. They went back to the part of Agatu land that they are occupying; villages like Ogwumogbo, Ejuma, Akile, Okpogbolo, Okpiye, Echije. It was on Sunday that the people returned home after soldiers assured them of safety, then they were killed on Tuesday. The affected village had long been deserted following the bandits invasion. They would attack and run back to the villages they are occupying.”

Sule added that the attackers who came through Nasarawa and Kogi states axis had long besieged and taken over some communities in Agatu LGA, adding that the soldiers had been helpful in heading off the bandits’ attacks.

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive the report of the attack.

Also, the Nigerian Army had not reacted to the incident at the time of filing this report.