Suspected herdsmen launched fresh attacks on Monday evening in Agatu and Apa Local Government Areas of Benue State, killing several residents despite recent military assurances.
In Agatu LGA, the attackers struck along the Odugbeho–Ogbaulu road, killing Sunday Dutse, a native of Odejo and the younger brother of a former chairman of the local government.
Dutse had reportedly been displaced in a previous attack and was taking refuge in Ogwule-Kaduna, also within Agatu, before being killed in this latest assault.
Earlier the same day, another deadly ambush occurred in Edikwu-G’Icho, a community in Apa LGA, where three youths were reportedly killed.
Two of the victims were from Edikwu-G’Icho, while the third hailed from Ugbokpo, the administrative headquarters of the local government.
The renewed violence comes barely days after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and other top officers visited the state.
Communities in Agatu and Apa LGAs have been repeatedly targeted in recent years by suspected herdsmen.
