Residents killed as gunmen burn down houses in Benue

At least two residents of Ikpelle community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State were killed while many houses were set houses ablaze during an attack by gunmen.

Locals told our correspondent that the separate incidents happened between Thursday and Friday in Ikpelle and Egwuma communities situated in the rural riverine of Agatu.

The locals said members of the communities who got displaced as a result of the attack are predominantly farmers and fishermen.

Joseph Adakole, an indigene, expressed worry that unless something urgent was done by security operatives, their entire villages would become history.

The Chairman of Agatu, Melvin Ejeh, expressed sadness over the attack during a conversation with journalists in Makurdi, saying, “I have just been sadly informed of an attack on Egwuma community of Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward which led to the burning of some houses and looting of livestock and properties worth millions of naira by suspected cattle rustlers.

“I sympathise with the people of Egwuma and environs and call for calm as we are working non-stop to bring a lasting solution to this age long crisis. We have called for the immediate deployment of security officials to the area to restore peace, but we are working on a long-term solution that will come to fruition soonest.

“My administration would prioritise and ensure the rebuilding of communities and the safe return of every Agatu citizen back home. Agatu is our home, and no one would live as a displaced citizen in their ancestral home.”

The Police had  not responded to the incident at the time of filing this report.