Two people were feared killed by suspected armed herders who invaded and attacked the Atakpa community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
NGGOSSIPS Metro learnt on Tuesday that the incident, which happened on Monday night, created panic among villagers, some of whom have fled the community.
A local source who identified himself as Sunny told our correspondent in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the suspected armed herders invaded the community on Monday night.
He said, “These Fulani herdsmen invaded the Atakpa community in Agatu LGA yesterday (Monday) night and killed two youths who attempted to repel them.
“If you can recall, some communities in the neighbouring Apa LGA were attacked on Friday and Sunday evening, killing several people.
“As a result, some of our youths, who are members of the vigilance group, were on surveillance in the Atakpa community when they encountered the herdsmen. In the process of repelling them, two people were killed.”
Efforts to get a statement of the council chairman, Melvin Ejeh, were not successful as his phone rang out.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the attack on the community to NGGOSSIPS Metro on Tuesday and noted that one person was missing while another was injured.
Edet said, “There was a report of an attack on the Atakpa community, but nobody was killed. A stray bullet hit one person, who is now receiving treatment at the hospital, while another person is missing.
“However, search efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.”
The Monday attack happened barely 24 hours after the attack on residents of Edikwu Ankpali in Apa LGA, where several people were reportedly killed.
On Thursday night, some gunmen also invaded Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed at least eight people, who were members of the same family.
🚨 BREAKING: Watch the full clip here ➤
