Some suspected gunmen to be herders have invaded two communities in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, Ikpele and Okpokpolo to be precise, killed two people.
The attack is after a week some suspected armed herders invaded some communities in the council, which led to the death of two people and three soldiers.
Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinowanhia, the Force Commander of the Operation Whirl Stroke, confirmed the incident to newsmen said two soldiers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were killed while trying to cub the attack in Okokolo community.
He said, “The success achieved was however at a huge cost with three of the troops paying the supreme sacrifice to prevent the killing of the inhabitants of Okpokpolo and the intended sacking of the community.”
“Gunmen attacked Ikpele and Okpokpolo and other places yesterday night throughout and we are yet to get the exact number of persons killed.
According to a man in the community called Oche, who shed more light about the incident said: “There was a serious battle till around 10 pm. Two bodies have so far been recovered. Many houses were burnt. In fact, within the attacked community yesterday in the night, at least 17 burnt houses were counted and residents of the affected communities had deserted their homes.”
Mike Inalegwu, who is the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, hailed from the local government, confirmed the incident, said: tension was high in the council area.
“The truth is that yesterday (Tuesday) the armed herdsmen attacked Okpokpolo village and killed two persons while the villagers were thinking of their speculative attack on the Ogbai community.
“Tension is high and the seven villages in Kogi border of the local government are deserted. This is authoritative.”
