From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen, suspected to be armed herdsmen militia, have killed a woman, her son, and two others in two communities of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Egwuma and Ogbai communities in the local government.
As at the time of filing this report, locals told newsmen that two other persons were still missing and have not been seen.
A local from Egwuma, who identified himself simply as Inalegwu, told newsmen by phone that the suspected armed herders stormed the two communities and attacked the villagers without provocation.
Inalegwu said, “Some herdsmen attacked Egwuma and Ogbai communities today. They killed a woman and her son who were working on their farm and also killed two others at the neighbouring Ogbai community.
“As I am talking to you now, two people are still missing, and we are searching for them.”
When contacted, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, who confirmed the incident, described it as senseless and barbaric.
The Chairman said, “This is an unprovoked attack on our people; it’s senseless and barbaric. How could people attack and kill a mother and her son who were working on their farm?
“The incident happened today (Wednesday) at Egwuma, where they killed an innocent mother and her son working on their farm, and the other two people were killed at a neighbouring Ogbai community.”
While commending the security personnel deployed to the area, the chairman said that the attack was unleashed on the two communities at the time the security personnel were on surveillance of other villages.
“The security operatives in Agatu have been doing their best to beef up security, but the problem in my council is the bad roads. At the time the incident happened, the security men were on surveillance of other areas,” he said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was on tour and had not received the report yet.
“As you can hear voices in the background, we are on tour, and I am yet to get the report, but I will get back to you later,” Edet said.
In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, said he had not also received the report.
