MAKURDI, Nigeria — Nine people, including two soldiers and the village head of Eguma, were killed on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 when suspected herdsmen attacked the Eguma community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, which began at 3 p.m., marks the fourth violent incursion into the area in the last month, raising concerns over escalating security threats in the region.
Audu Sule, a former lawmaker who represented the local government in the Benue State House of Assembly from 2011 to 2019, confirmed the attack, stating that gunmen suspected to be herdsmen invaded Eguma and began killing villagers indiscriminately.
According to Sule, military personnel stationed in nearby Ogwule village, his hometown, responded to a distress call from Eguma.
In the ensuing gunfight, two soldiers were killed alongside the head of the village and six other villagers, bringing the total death toll to nine. The assailants fled after the exchange with the military forces.
Ongoing Attacks in Agatu LGA
Sule expressed deep concern over the repeated attacks on Eguma and Ogwule, highlighting the persistent insecurity in the Agatu Local Government Area.
He lamented the toll these attacks have taken on local communities, with four such incidents occurring in the last month alone.
“The security threats we face daily are overwhelming,” Sule said, adding that despite the military presence, the gunmen continue to terrorize the area.
Military Response and Rising Tensions
The Nigerian military’s response to the attack has been met with mixed results.
While the intervention likely prevented further casualties, the loss of two soldiers underscores the challenges facing security forces in combating armed groups in the region.
The military reportedly engaged in a gun battle with the attackers, who managed to escape.
This latest attack has intensified concerns over the safety of rural communities in Benue State, which has long been plagued by clashes between farmers and herdsmen.
The repeated violence has fueled calls for increased security measures to protect vulnerable populations in areas like Agatu.
As investigations into the attack continue, residents of Eguma and surrounding communities remain on high alert, fearing further violence in the wake of this tragedy.
