21 Killed By Fulani Herdsmen In Benue, Taraba

21 persons were yesterday feared dead in Benue and Taraba States following attacks by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

12 youths were killed in the attack on Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, while nine deaths were reported at Nwokyo village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to the Chairman Agatu Elders’ Committee, Mr. Sule Ngbede, the young men had gone to fetch sand for building with a tipper in the river which is about three kilometres to the local government area headquarters when the gunmen attacked and killed them.

He said that the corpses of the victims had been moved to Obagaji, the council headquarters.

Ngbede also lamented that soldiers who were drafted to Agatu had continued to stay in Obagaji while the boundary areas to the river had been left unmanned.

Ngbede therefore appeal to security agencies posted to Agatu not to restrict their movement to the council’s headquarters but to always move around and ensure peace in the communities in Agatu.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Daniel Ezeala, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the report, disclosing that the remains of the 12 victims had been moved to the mortuary.