3 feared dead as suspected Fulani mercenaries invade Benue community

No fewer than three persons were feared dead
yesterday when suspected Fulani mercenaries
attacked Ejima community in Agatu local
government area of Benue state. The fresh attack also left several houses and
farmland destroyed while many of the natives
have reportedly fled their homes for fear of
being killed by the marauders. Saturday Vanguard gathered that the invaders
who laid siege on the community, marched into
the villages in their hundreds from neighboring
Nasarawa state. This fresh attack came on the heels of the last
bloody fighting between the herdsmen and
natives where over 33 lives were reportedly
lost. Confirming the renewed crisis, the member
representing Agatu state constituency in the
Benue State House of Assembly, Alhaji Audu
Sule told journalists in Makurdi that the fresh
attack occurred in the early hours of yesterday
when the villagers were preparing to go to their farms.” According to the lawmaker, “hundreds of Fulani
mercenaries were hired by the Fulani invaders
who have been attacking several communities
in my local government area and we hear that
they are planning to launch further attacks
from neighboring Nasarawa state.” Sule who lamented the persistent attack on his
constituents by Fulani herdsmen urged
security agencies in both Benue and Nasarawa
states to step up the patrol of the border
communities to avert further bloodbath in
parts of Benue state. When contacted, the Police Public Relations
Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent Daniel
Ezeala said he was yet to receive details of the
fresh attack but added that the Commissioners
of Police, Adams Audu had since deployed well
armed policemen to the crisis area to maintain peace