Herdsmen behead village head, 2 others missing

…Lawmakers allege Boko Haram invasion of 4 villages

From ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi.

At least, three persons including a village head have been allegedly killed with many houses and farmlands destroyed in a renewed attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on four villages in Agatu Local Government area of Benue State.
The lawmaker representing Agatu state constituency at the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Sule Audu, who stated this yesterday while briefing newsmen in Makurdi also raised the alarm over what he described as infiltration of Boko Haram in four villages in the riverine communities in his locality in the last six days.
“In the past six days, four villages in my constituency  had been under siege. An extension of Boko Haram insurgents have seized the villages, sacked the people, burnt down houses and made the area their abode.”
He alleged that the suspected insurgents numbering more than 1,500 have seized four villages, Ejuma I, Ejuma II, Ogumogbo and Ikpele along the riverine borders of Nasarawa and Kogi states respectively, saying that the invaders gained access into the affected communities through Loko in Nasarawa State.
The lawmaker explained that the militia overpowered the Sarakin Loko when he attempted to stop them from crossing the river through his territory to the other side of Agatu region in Benue State.
Audu also said that the suspected sect members may have taken the advantage of the difficulties often experienced by security men due to the difficult terrain of the affected villages, to unleash terror on the rural dwellers who are mainly fishermen and farmers.
He alleged that at least 175 lives have been lost between May and September this year following incessant attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on the Agatu people of the state.
Audu said that in the latest attack, a village head was beheaded while four members of the communities were still missing, adding that while the previous clashes had been between Agatu and Fulani herdsmen, the latest attack assumed a new dimension with the use of mercenaries suspected to be  Mali, Chad and Niger nationals.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker said the displaced people are scattered in neighbouring communities in the local government area with some of them moving to their relatives in nearby Kogi State.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said he was yet to be briefed on the latest attack.