Sophia Michaels
Armed Fulani herdsmen have reportedly displaced and taken control of at least 10 villages in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The development followed days of renewed attacks by the marauders who stormed the affected communities from neighbouring Nasarawa State.
The lawmaker representing Agatu State Constituency, Mr. Godwin Edoh who raised the alarm in Makurdi lamented that severely of his constituents have deserted their homes and living like refugees in their own State.
He urged President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to take steps to end the carnage being perpetrated in Agatu land by armed herdsmen.
The lawmaker noted that some of the villages that had been sacked by the rampaging armed herders includes “Ejima Gega, Ejima Geche, Ogbumogbo, Okpokpolo and Ikpelle, Gefu all in Agatu West. While Ugboju Gube, Ocholonya villages have been sacked in Agatu North.”
The lawmaker who said he make attempt to access some of the villages but was advised by security personnel to jettison the idea.
He said “security operatives have advised that I can only reach Ikpelle in Agatu West this morning as the armed herdsmen have occupied the other villages there so it is not safe for me and I can also reach Okokolo in Agatu North.”
The lawmaker who lamented that residents of the affected communities had deserted their homes and taking refuge in safer communities with relatives appealed for humanitarian intervention to provide succour for the victims of the attacks.
He said “our displaced persons at Agatu don’t gather at a location. They move to various villages to stay with their relatives and they are in dare need of support.”
