At least one person was Sunday evening killed in Okokolo, a community in Agatu local government area of Benue state by men suspected to be herdsmen.
A resident in the area who is a member of the Community Peace Observers (CPOs) in Benue state, Mr Ojole Joe, said the victim was murdered around 4:00 pm between Ocholonya and Okokolo road.
He said before the incident happened, heavily armed Fulani herdsmen were sighted blandishing their weapons openly around Okokolo, Ocholonya Fadama, adding that, “right now, their where about is not known.”
He expressed worry over the current surge of armed herdsmen in Agatu local government, saying they carry AK47 openly, without fear of even the security men.
Meanwhile, in Udei in Guma local government area, there were reported sporadic gunshots in the area, which has created fear in resident making them to run for their lives.
An eyewitness who simply gave his name as Kenneth said, “People are running helter skelter at the villages around Udei as sporadic gunshots can be heard.
“Women, children and particularly the elderly were seen with loads on their heads leaving the area for safe zones.
“In the past few weeks, our communities have been taken over by armed herdsmen who come in the broad daylight and graze on our crops. Because they are heavily armed, nobody can dare them, we are living a life of misery, and cannot do anything in our land,” he added.
Benue state Police command spokesperson, SP Catherine Sewuese Anene, when contacted said she was yet to receive any information on the incident.
It could be noted that the Benue state government had after the State Security Council, Thursday contrary to expectations of the herdsmen informed all stakeholders to be aware that the anti-open grazing law was still in existence in Benue state and they must respect the fact and abide by the law.
The resolution of the security council meeting which were read by the chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, also urged all the stakeholders, especially the law enforcement agents to show sincerity in the implementation/enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law currently in place in the state, adding that emphasis should be on prevention of attack by the armed/criminal herders rather than the reactionary approach.
“”There is need to have peaceful environment for the IDPs to return to their ancestral homes,” he added.
