Benue: Again, two fishermen killed in Agatu ambush by armed herders

Two fishermen have been reportedly killed in an ambush by armed herdsmen in Obishu community of Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.

A source in the area disclosed that the victims were waylaid by the killer herdsmen late Monday while at their mud fishing pond to harvest their fishes.

The attack came less that 24 hours after a similar incident claimed two lives in neighbouring Apa LGA.

The source disclosed that Obishu community had in recent time been infiltrated by criminal elements who engage in cattle rustling.

According to him, "it is unfortunate that the attacked fishermen were going about their business when the armed herdsmen waylaid them.

"Many people believe that the attack may not be unconnected to the issue of cattle rustling in that part of the LGA which is the handiwork of criminals and not these innocent fishermen who were going about their legitimate business of fishing."

"They attacked the fishermen late yesterday but because people fled when they heard the gunshots nobody summoned the courage to visit the scene of the attack, people were rather running away from their homes.

"But today (Tuesday) at about 10am the Local Government Chairman led soldiers to the area and recovered the two corpses of the victims which were mutilated.

"It is unfortunate that the innocent farmers were killed for what they knew nothing about, he said.

According to him, "It is an open secret that there was complaints of about 49 cows that were rustled over time by these criminals and the issue was taken up which led to the arrest of some of the suspects in that general area. It is unfortunate that innocent people are being killed. And I also wonder if a cattle is worth the life of a human being.

"Though the Chairman and his team are doing their best but we damand that all the criminals behind cattle rustling in Agatu be arrest and brought to justice to end these unending attacks on innocent people," he added.

Contacted, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Melvin Ejeh who confirmed the attack explained that the fishermen were waylaid by the armed herdsmen.

He said, "the armed herdsmen laid ambush and killed the two victims. Soldiers in Agatu were very proactive, when they heard the gunshots they moved to the area and discovered that the attackers had fled.

"The victims were declared missing yesterday but I went with soldiers today (Tuesday) and a search was carried out and we discovered and evacuated the corpses at about 10am.

"We have been doing our best to ensure security in Agatu, we engage in constant patrols of the communities. Before I became Chairman everyone knows what was happening in Agatu, the constant killings and the state of insecurity in the LGA, today we have curtailed it.

"We have also warned our people to be very careful and stay away from that area till we find a solution to whatsoever maybe the reason for the attack," he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Udeme Edet could not be reached as of press time.