MAKURDI – The Caretaker Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue State, Philip Ebenyakwu has confirmed an attack on Egwuma community on Tuesday afternoon, by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, where they killed six persons in the community.
The Chairman who explained that the incident took place at about 5pm on Tuesday noted that the herdsmen also killed two soldiers and allegedly carted away four guns belonging to the soldiers.
However, another source told Daily Independent that while the herdsmen laid siege on the community the soldiers stayed aloof, adding that soon as the herdsmen were done sacking the community, they turned the heat on the soldiers, killed two and carted away their arms.
He alleged that “The soldiers were there but they refused to respond and so, when these herdsmen finished with the community members, they went to the soldiers base and still attacked them.”
But according to the LGA Chairman, Philip Ebenyakwu, “There was serious attack in Egwuma yesterday and we lost about six lives including two soldiers.
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“The incident happened around 5pm. They were coming from Kogi state because we have boundary issues with them from the Guma axis. They crossed in from Kogi state, took the soldiers by surprise and began to shoot sporadically.
“They killed six persons with two soldiers and took their guns and ran away. We also have other casualties.
“We have contacted security in that regard and the soldiers are mobilizing; the Navy, Airforce, Police and the Security aides to the Benue state Governor, to get to the area”, he stated.
We also gathered that following the incident, the entire community has been deserted, save for the soldiers.
Daily Independent further learned that before now the herdsmen had attacked the same community. During the previous attack, the herdsmen had killed 12 persons before soldiers were drafted to the area to salvage the situated.
