Reports reaching us indicates that suspected Fulani herdsmen are currently attacking Okokolo Community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue, shooting sporadically across river Ochekwu (Ogbeyi G’okpa G’echo), advancing towards Okokolo main town at the moment.
According to eyewitnesses, unsuspecting and helpless natives and other residents of the community, mainly women and children, including young men, are said to have deserted their homes to unknown destinations.
According to a source and member of the affected communities, who simply identified himself as Sunday, the state
Governor Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the military, police and other security agencies are expected to swing into action immediately to save the lives of the residents whose lives have been thrown in danger.
Recall that on February 17, 2016, no fewer than five persons were killed by Fulani herdsmen at Okokolo village in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that several houses and properties were set ablaze in the carnage.
A relative of one of the victims, who simply identified himself as Okoh, said the assailants were about 30 and wielded sophisticated weapons.
Also on June 6, 2016, about 20 persons were killed in an attack by suspended Fulani herdsmen, leaving many injured.
A witness from Odugbeho identified as Isaac 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 several 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.
Calls put through to Hon. Ikwulono, the Okokolo Community leader could not be attended to, neither has it been returned.
Meanwhile, a leader of the Fulani ethnic group, Allah Fulani Association, Saleh Bayeri, gave reasons for the attacks.
He said the February bloody conflict in Benue was a reprisal attack by his people against the Agatus for killing their Fulani people in 2013.
Gan Allah Fulani Association is an umbrella body of Fulani associations in Nigeria.
