Agatu crisis: Over 10, 000 sacked from 18 communities

The attack by Fulani herdsman on Okpachaya village in Agatu Local
Government Area (LGA) of Benue State that resulted in killing of about 47 villagers, has rendered over 10,000 persons homeless, with over 18 communities sacked by the rampaging herdsmen.
The state Commissioner for Works and Transport, John Nbgede, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday on the assessment of the government’s fact finding team that took an on the spot assessment of the situation in Agatu on Monday
The commissioner, a native of one of the affected communities, explained that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were currently camped at Ugbokpo, Ojantele and Odugbenhun in neighboring Apa LGA.
Narrating their experience, he said, “What we saw was pathetic and heart rendering.
“Over 10,000 of the displaced persons who are mostly women and children are currently taking shelter in the three villages without any sources of livelihood.
“Despite the magnitude of the devastation, the invaders promised to come back after having sacked over 16 villages and communities; that is the more reason why we are asking the Federal Government to boost security around our bordering communities with Nasarawa State from where the herdsmen invade our villages”, he added.
He further noted: “At the moment, the state government has directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to move into the camps in order to provide them essential commodities to assist them carry on with their lives”
He lamented that the level of devastation in the affected communities was above the scope of the state government.
It could be recalled that over the weekend Fulani herdsmen when it shot to death no fewer than 47 mourners while carrying out the burial rites of two police officers killed last Tuesday in Nasarawa State.