Armed men on Thursday night launched a deadly attack on Olegabulu community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing the traditional ruler, Chief Momo Awodi, his wife Abigail, and their son, Boniface Ochowechi.

The incident, which has heightened tension in the area, also claimed the lives of Ochowechi Ochegwu and Deborah Ochowechi, bringing the total number of casualties to five, while one person sustained injuries.

This newspaper gathered that the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles and initially blended in with residents before unleashing violence.

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants were able to gain access to the monarch’s residence, where they opened fire on him and members of his household.

“The assailants were not Fulani, because when they arrived, they greeted people in our dialect. Nobody suspected anything,” the source said.

He explained that panic gripped the community immediately after the attackers began shooting, forcing many residents to flee for safety.

“The assailants operated for almost 20 minutes. After attacking the traditional ruler’s residence, they moved to another house and killed two more people. One person sustained injuries before they fled,” the source added.

Confirming the attack, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, said five people were killed and one person injured during the incident.

“It is true, the incident happened, five people were killed and one person was injured during the attack,” Ejeh said during a telephone interview.

He added that security operatives had since visited the scene of the attack.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive an official report on the incident.

“I’m yet to get the report, but I am still waiting for it,” she said. (The Advocate)