BREAKING: Many Feared Killed, Missing As Benue Communities Come Under Heavy Attack
Ten people have been confirmed killed, 18 houses burnt and many missing as Aila youths, in the late hours of on Sunday, 26th May, 2024 allegedly attacked neighbouring Omukwidi and Edeje communities in Agatu LGA.
The reason for the latest attack was still unknown as of the time of filing this report, but learnt it was not unconnected to the lingering Egba/Ologba and Abugbe/Agbaduma communal crisis, as Aila community has been accusing Omukwidi and Edeje of joining hands with Egba youths in harassing their people on the roads and farms.
Aila community is also divided into two family lineages, with one affiliated to Abugbe and the other affiliated to Agbaduma.
Ibom Focus also reported that Egba youths on Saturday, 25th May 2024, allegedly attacked farmers from Ologba, Edeje, Omukwidi and Aila, chasing them away from their farms.
Narrating the incident, a witness who wouldn’t want his name mentioned said; “We were sitting under trees in our village of Aila when we started hearing gunshots from the direction of Omukwidi and Edeje.
“Our youths mobilized themselves and went towards the direction. There was an exchange of gunfire between our youths and Omukwidi/Edeje youths, leading to the death of many and the burning of houses in the two communities.”
James Uloko, a youth leader from Aila community also confirmed the attack, which he said happened at about 5:45pm. He, however, said he was not in the village to ascertain the remote cause of the fight and number of casualties but that he would find out tomorrow, (today).
The mmediate past Chairman of Agatu LGA, Hon Joseph Ngbede, who also hails from Edeje, confirmed the attack and burning of 18 houses in his community.
“We cannot really pinpoint those responsible for the attack this night but we will know tomorrow. So far, the attackers succeeded in burning 18 houses in my community of Edeje”, Ngbede said
When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Benue State Police Command, Mrs Catherine Anene said, she was yet to be briefed.
