Seven killed in Benue, Oyo clashes

Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam

No fewer than five persons have been killed and several villages destroyed in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State during a renewed attack by suspected Fulani militia.

Also, two persons died on Monday in a land dispute between rival communities of Lalupon and Erunmu towns in Oyo State.

Investigation by one of our correspondents showed that as of Monday, hundreds of Agatu farmers were displaced from their homes, just as schools and churches were closed to avert further destruction of lives and properties.

The member representing Agatu State Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Sule Audu, told newsmen that the heinous attack occurred on Sunday.

Audu said his people were preparing to go to church when the insurgents attacked them.

He maintained that several houses in various communities including the Adeka and Olegadeje villages were destroyed.

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The lawmaker added that farmlands and properties were also damaged in the renewed attack.

He, however, appealed to people of the area to remain calm as efforts were on to provide succour for victims and also to fish out the perpetrators. The lawmaker urged the state government to provide relief materials for the displaced persons.

Efforts to speak with the Benue State Police Commissioner Mr. Hyacinth Dagala, proved abortive as he did not pick calls and text messages put across to him by one of our correspondents.

In the Oyo State attack, eyewitnesses said that armed youths from Lalupon and Erunmu communities situated on the outskirts of Ibadan clashed over a parcel of land in the border separating the communities on Friday.

The fight, which continued until Monday, left two people dead and several others injured.

The source said, “A man of Lalupon origin was attacked by youths on Friday evening when he went to plant something that was suspected to be charms on the disputed land. From what I know, the two communities agreed sometimes ago to stay away from the land after years of dispute over its ownership. There was a reprisal by the supporters of the man that was attacked and violence spread in both communities.

“Jamiu Akanji and Wasiu Adeyemi were killed in the attack while many people were injured,” the source adde