Armed bandits kill 20 in Agatu LGA of Benue state

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have reportedly killed 20 people in Odugbeho village, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

A resident of Odugbeho, Isaac Oche told Channels Television that the incident occurred on Sunday June 6.

Oche said;

“The suspected herdsmen invaded our village around 5:45 pm and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone on sight and disappeared around 6:40 pm after killing so many people, as they escaped to thorough the bush and we later returned to the village shortly after the attack, only to recovered eleven bodies from the village centre.

“We saw another nine bodies scattered on the roadside but couldn’t evacuate them for fear of the unknown.

“We can not stay any longer to recover all the dead bodies this night because it is dark and no security, I believe more bodies will be recovered when the day breaks and security agents are around”.

Oche further revealed that the herdsmen who were believed to have come from Nasarawa state, passed through the neighbouring Gwer West local government area in a guerrilla-style and took them unaware. He added that the high number of casualties is due to the fact that it was on Sunday and most people were at home.

Another eyewitness, Iyu Goche corroborated the claim. Goche said he was one of the youths that searched and recovered the corpses, adding that the death toll could rise on Monday.

Police spokesman in Benue State, DSP Sewuese Anene told newsmen that more officers have been deployed to manage the incident and forestall further breakdown of law and order. He revealed that the authorities are yet to ascertain the number of persons killed during the invasion.