Gunmen Kill 2 Soldiers, Others in Fresh Attack in Benue, Details Emerge

Gunmen Kill 2 Soldiers, Others in Fresh Attack in Benue, Details Emerge

  • Six people, including two soldiers, have been gruesomely murdered as gunmen suspected to be killer herdsmen attacked the Egwuma community in Agatu LGA of Benue
  • The attackers invaded the community around 5:00 pm and unleashed terror in the area, causing panic
  • The Caretaker Chairman of Agatu LGA, Philip Ebenyakwu, confirmed the development on Wednesday and shared further details

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Suspected armed herders on Tuesday launched a deadly attack on the Egwuma community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue state, killing six people, including two soldiers.

Gunmen kill two soldiers, others in Benue
Suspected herders kill soldiers and residents in Benue community. Image for illustration purposes. Photo credit: Nigerian Army
Source: Facebook

A local resident, identified simply as Anthony, said the gunmen invaded the community around 5:00pm, unleashing terror on residents. The attack reportedly forced villagers to flee their homes in panic.

Confirming the incident to journalists on Wednesday, October 2, the Caretaker Chairman of Agatu LGA, Philip Ebenyakwu, said six people, including two soldiers, were killed in the attack.

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“Yes, there was a serious attack in Egwuma yesterday (Tuesday), and we lost about six lives, including two soldiers,” Ebenyakwu stated.

He explained that the gunmen, believed to have come from Kogi state, took the soldiers by surprise as they crossed into the community.

He stated:

“The incident happened around 5 p.m. They crossed in from Kogi State, took the soldiers by surprise, and began shooting sporadically. They killed six people, including two soldiers, took their guns, and fled. We also have other casualties.”

Ebenyakwu added that security forces were being mobilised to the area, saying:

“We have contacted security agencies, and the soldiers are mobilizing. The Navy, Air Force Commandant, Commissioner of Police, and Chief Security Aides to the Benue State Governor are working to address the situation.”

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Police react to the attack in Benue

Reacting, the Benue state police command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, said she had not yet received a report on the attack.

“I don’t have this report, please,” Anene said in a terse message.

Similarly, the Security Adviser to the Benue State Governor, Joseph Har, is yet to release a statement regarding the attack.

As of the time of filling this report, the Public Relations Officer of the 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Captain Abdullahi Osabo, said he could not immediately confirm whether the brigade had troops in Agatu but promised to investigate and revert.

Channels TV confirmed the report in its publication on Wednesday.

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Gunmen kill PDP candidate, brother in Kaduna

Similarly, Legit.ng reported that a PDP councillorship candidate in Kaduna state, Raymond Timothy, and his brother, James Timothy, were murdered by unknown gunmen.

Barnabas Chawai, a PDP chieftain in the Kauru LGA and the secretary to the Village Head of Kizachi, John Wanneh, confirmed the unfortunate incident to the press.

The spokesperson of the Kaduna state police command, ASP Mansir Hassan, is yet to react to the unfortunate development.

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.