Several Killed In Renewed Hostilities Between Fulani And Agatu People In Benue State.

Fighting on Sunday broke out at Ega Adapati Island the riverine in Agatu local government area of Benue state between Fulani herdsmen and Agatu in leading to death of ten persons.According to source, the herdsmen were said to have invaded the village about 8am, the time many of the villagers were set to go to church where they set ablaze houses and killed about ten persons, the source added that the sudden attack had left the whole village deserted.
The Nigerian Tribune reliably gathered that the invasion was a reprisal attack over the killing of two persons recently.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had invited the two communities when intelligence report reached him that the Fulanis were planning reprisal attack on the State where he pleaded for peace to reign.
The attack was said to have left the community desolate as villagers fled to neighboring communities.
Former commissioner for Works and Housing and running mate to gubernatorial candidate of Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the state in the last general election, Honourable John Ngbede said seven persons were killed.
Honourable Sule Audu who represents the constituency in the state assembly confirmed to newsmen in yesterday in Makurdi about the invasion of the fulanis, confirming killing of seven persons, stating that houses were destroyed by the invading herdsmen.
The State Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Moses Yamu when contacted said he was yet to be briefed.
But the State governor, Chief Samuel Ortom confirmed the attack on the Benue village in Agatu but noted that he was yet to get full details of the casualties involved.

He explained, 'I can confirm to you the attack on Agatu village on Sunday, many people were wounded but I can not say of the casualty because I don't want to act on rumor, but I have asked the deputy to proceed to the place tomorrow (Tuesday) to assess the situation of things, it is then I can give you details of what happened in Agatu'.
He noted that his administration is working audaciously towards finding lasting solution to the perennial crisis, just as he appealed to the warring parties to learn to live in peace among themselves.

Source Tribune