The killings in Benue are not just numbers; they are signs of deep problems.
Often, innocent villagers are attacked as they go about their daily lives.
Families mourn those they have lost, jobs are disrupted, and whole communities suffer because of the violence.
Now, Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have killed 12 people in separate attacks on Benue communities on Sunday, July 15, 2024.
According to locals, 12 people were reportedly killed in Egwuma in Agatu, and one displaced person returning from a farm in Gwer West LGAs of Benue state.
Some locals spoke to journalists on Monday in a telephone chat.
They said that one displaced person was injured and five others still missing.
At Egwumoa, in Agatu LGA, suspected armed herders were said to have attacked the community in a killing spree.
Benue Lawmaker Confirmation
Confirming the report, a lawmaker representing the Agatu state constituency at the House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh said that 12 people were killed.
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He said: “We are tired of this daily killing at Ogbumogbo, Ejima and all those areas down to Ikpele, those villages have been deserted for close to one year. So, those places are like the Fulani colony.
“This one happened yesterday (Sunday) 12 people were killed.”
When told that the governor said relative peace had returned and that IDPs are going back to their ancestral homes, the lawmaker said, “It’s a lie, they are talking nonsense. There is no peace anywhere.”
“Even the IDPs they said have returned, if you go there you will see them there, so I don’t know why they use propaganda, it’s not correct.
In Gwer West LGA, suspected armed herders were reported to have attacked some displaced persons who were returning from their farms on Sunday killing one, one injured and five others still missing.
A former camp manager in Agagbe IDP camp, Jacob Terna said: “Armed Fulani herders attacked and killed Mr Ikyumbu Aondowase, 30, while Mr Achin Terzungwe, 45, was badly injured and five others missing.”
He said that the suspected armed herders ambushed the displaced people while returning from their farms.