Herders attack community, kill 3

Three persons were, Tuesday afternoon, killed in Umogidi village in Enetekpa Adoka district of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen. 

The attack on Umogidi community came less than 24 houses after a monarch and his subjects were killed by the marauders in Ugbobi village in Apa LGA in what locals said was coordinated attacks on Benue South district in the last two months. 

It was gathered that the marauders stormed the village from neighbouring Apa LGA with their cattle, armed with AK-47 riffles. 

A source said: “They shot anyone they met or anyone who tried to stop them from grazing on people’s farmland. The victims were the young men they met while marching into the villages and destroying people’s farm and barn.”

Confirming the attack, Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Mr. Bako Eje, who hails from that part of the council, lamented that the invaders had in the last one month ceaselessly attacked that part of the state.

He said: “Armed herdsmen attacked our people and killed three persons in Enetekpa ward of Adoka District in Otukpo council. 

“For over a month now, they have been terroriaing our people in that axis, from Igili to Umuogidi across to Enetekpa ward." 

“The attackers came in from Apa LGA through Agatu LGA. They have been terrorising our people. They graze their cow in our area, eat up our cassava,  grains and yams and the ones they could not eat, they set on fire. 

“Most of our people have deserted their homes and are now camping at a primary school in Adoka, these are particularly Igili and Umuogidi people. 

“On Tuesday, they came on us again, attacked and killed three persons. I have sent the information to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters. As we speak, I am heading to the place with military personnel to see what is on ground.” 

Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer,  Catherine Anene confirmed the attack but said she was yet to receive full details of the incident.