UPDATE: SEVERAL LIVES CLAIMED IN FRESH BENUE ATTACK

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A new attack on the Ugboju community in Benue State’s Agatu Local Government Area has claimed several lives.

Nine people lost their lives in the most recent unrest in the North-Central State, according to a source, while conflicting accounts surround the precise death toll.

The suspected herders were responsible for the Wednesday night attack.

Nine corpses were found following the incident, according to John Ikwulono, a former deputy chairman of Agatu Local Government, who spoke on the phone on Thursday.

“Suspected armed Herdsmen came to Ogboju community in Agatu local government yesterday night to attack our people again. This attack claimed nine lives as at the last count of the recovered corpses,” he stated.

The police force and the government of Benue State have not yet confirmed the most recent attack.

The police spokesperson has not yet answered calls or replied to messages left on the police media WhatsApp group or on the Benue Police Command Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene.

Recently, Benue has been the target of many gunman attacks that have left many people homeless and several people dead.

Given that eight people were killed in an earlier attack by suspected terrorists on the council, Agatu LG appears to have been the hardest hit.

On Saturday, the gunmen attack forced residents to flee their homes in Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Ejima villages in the area.

In his recent operational visit to Benue last November, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, charged troops of 401 Special Forces Brigade Makurdi to remain disciplined and professional while discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

Lagbaja commended them for their sacrifices and service to the nation, urging them to continue to give their best to maintain peace and stability.