Suspected herdsmen have attacked Egwuma community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing five persons.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, confirmed the incident on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Anene said the police had deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain peace.

A member representing Agatu constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, who also confirmed the attack, put the number of victims at 12.

The lawmaker lamented the incessant killings of his constituents and called on governments and security agencies to take proactive measures to curtail the attacks.

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Edoh said: “Government has to be decisive about what to do about this area because it is so porous.

“Ogbumogbo, Ejima, and other villages down to Ikpele have been deserted for close to one year.

“The herdsmen come over to the deserted villages with their cattle for grazing in the morning and leave in the evening.

“They are able to do these because the villagers had left their communities for fear of attacks and the security agents are not doing enough to address this development.”

The Star