Bandits have killed three villagers working on farms in the Ogbaulu community of Agatu Local Government Area of Benúe State.
This happened just as 24 persons were killed and several others injured in fresh bandit attacks on four communities in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
It was gathered that most of those killed were vigilante members who reportedly came out to confront the bandits in Katsina.
AGATU KILLINGS
Otukpo and Apa Agatu LGAs were among the worst hit by bandits’ attacks in recent times.
A local who spoke to journalists on Saturday, May 4, 2024, said that the victims were working at their separate farms on Friday afternoon when the bandits attacked them.
“Three persons were slaughtered again by unknown gunmen on Friday at their farms in Ogbaulu community,” the source said.
Confirming the attack on Saturday, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Yakubu Ochepo said the attackers came through neighbouring Apa LGA and hacked the victims to death.
“It’s true the incident happened on Friday and the attackers came through Apa LGA, two of the deceased were natives of Agatu while the other victim hailed from Apa LGA,” he said.
Disturbed by the incessant attacks and killings in his domain, the paramount ruler of the Idoma nation, His Royal Majesty, the Och’Idoma, Dr. John Eliagwu Odogbo condemned the recent spate of attacks within Agatu and its environs.
According to a statement by his media aide, Onuminya Odoba, the royal father expressed sadness over the three persons reportedly murdered on their farms.
The monarch noted that he was deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of the persons going about their lawful activities by yet-to-be-identified assailants.
“Agaba-Idu calls on the Police and local vigilantes to nip this trend on the sprout, investigate, and bring culprits to answer for the crime as humanity,” the statement read in part.
“Agaba-Idu assures all law-abiding persons in Idoma land of peaceful living within the kingdom, and is working round the clock with his Council of Chiefs in collaboration with government agencies to ensure people live and do businesses within our lands in peace, safety, and prosperity.”
24 IN KATSINA
A local security official in Katsina said during the attack which lasted for about an hour, four villages were raided by the hoodlums in what he described as reprisals over military offensives on the bandits’ hideouts.
He explained that the hoodlums stormed the villages of Unguwar Sarkin Noma, Gangara, Tafi, and Kore on Thursday night at about 9:00 pm shooting sporadically to scare the residents.
The Chairman of Sabuwa Local Government Council, Faruq Dalhatu, who confirmed the incident on Saturday, May 4, said 23 of the victims were buried per the Islamic rites on Friday morning after the attack.
He added that the last victim was also conveyed for burial from the hospital after he was certified dead.
“Upon hearing of the bandits’ mission to attack the Local Government Council, we swung into action by informing virtually all the security agencies,” he said.
“They (security agencies) all responded to our distress call and availed themselves to the community. Before you know it, the Bandits raided the community and killed these people
“Twenty-three people were buried from the beginning, in accordance with Islamic rites, and the last victim was conveyed from the hospital after he was certified dead,” he added.
