Fresh Attack in Benue: Armed herders ambush, kill two fishermen in Agatu

Two fishermen have been killed in a fresh ambush allegedly carried out by armed herders in Obishu community of Benue State, within Agatu Local Government Area.

A community source said the victims were attacked late on Monday while harvesting fish at their mud fishing pond when the assailants reportedly waylaid them.

The killing came less than 24 hours after a similar attack in neighbouring Apa Local Government Area, where two other persons were reportedly killed, further heightening fear among residents.

According to the source, Obishu community had recently experienced infiltration by criminal elements involved in cattle rustling, a development believed to have worsened insecurity in the area.

He said, “it is unfortunate that the attacked fishermen were going about their business when the armed herdsmen waylaid them.

“Many people believe that the attack may not be unconnected to the issue of cattle rustling in that part of the LGA, which is the handiwork of criminals and not these innocent fishermen who were going about their legitimate business of fishing.”

The source explained that panic spread through the community immediately gunshots were heard.

“They attacked the fishermen late yesterday, but because people fled when they heard the gunshots, nobody summoned the courage to visit the scene of the attack; people were running away from their homes.

“But today (Tuesday) at about 10 am, the Local Government Chairman led soldiers to the area and recovered the two corpses of the victims, which were mutilated.

Read also: Atiku raises alarm over El-Rufai’s detention, warns FG against any harm

“Unfortunately, the innocent farmers were killed for what they knew nothing about,” he said.

He further linked the attack to unresolved cattle rustling incidents in the area.

According to him, “It is an open secret that there were complaints about 49 cows that were rustled over time by these criminals, and the issue was taken up, which led to the arrest of some of the suspects in that general area. Unfortunately, innocent people are being killed. And I also wonder if a cow is worth the life of a human being.

“Though the Chairman and his team are doing their best, we demand that all the criminals behind cattle rustling in Agatu be arrested and brought to justice to end these unending attacks on innocent people,” he added.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin Ejeh, said the fishermen were ambushed by armed herders.

He said, “The armed herdsmen laid an ambush and killed the two victims. Soldiers in Agatu were very proactive; when they heard the gunshots, they moved to the area and discovered that the attackers had fled.

“The victims were declared missing yesterday, but I went with soldiers today (Tuesday) and a search was carried out, and we discovered and evacuated the corpses at about 10 am.

“We have been doing our best to ensure security in Agatu. We engage in constant patrols of the communities. Before I became Chairman, everyone knew what was happening in Agatu, the constant killings and the state of insecurity in the LGA. Today, we have curtailed it.

“We have also warned our people to be very careful and stay away from that area till we find a solution to whatever may be the reason for the attack,” he said.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as of press time.

The post Fresh Attack in Benue: Armed herders ambush, kill two fishermen in Agatu appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.