In another horrifying episode of bloodshed in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly launched a deadly assault on Ipelle Village in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a police inspector and a civilian.
The brazen attack, which occurred on Tuesday evening, sent shockwaves through the rural community as the gunmen stormed the village in a hail of bullets, causing widespread panic and forcing residents to flee into the surrounding bushes for safety.
Security sources confirmed on Wednesday that the fallen officer was identified as Inspector Daniel Omanyebu, a dedicated personnel attached to the Ipelle Police Outpost under the Agatu Division. A yet-to-be-identified civilian also lost his life in the ambush, bringing a wave of mourning across the embattled community.
According to the source, “The body of Inspector Omanyebu has been evacuated and deposited at the morgue. We are intensifying efforts to track down the perpetrators of this callous act. This is not just an attack on Ipelle; it’s an attack on peace and law enforcement.”
Local residents lamented the continuous wave of violence that has plagued Agatu in recent years, with dozens of similar attacks leaving trails of death and destruction in their wake. Many believe the federal and state governments have not done enough to protect farming communities from incessant invasions by armed herders.
“This is the third time in two months that we’ve buried our people due to herdsmen attacks. How long will we live like this?” a community leader who spoke under anonymity questioned with anguish.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Catherine Udeme Edet, stated that she was yet to receive full details of the incident. “Hold on to that information. I don’t have any details on it at the moment. I will get back to you,” she said in a brief response to SaharaReporters.
The latest killing has once again ignited demands for a stronger and more proactive security presence in Agatu and other flashpoints in Benue State, as residents continue to live in fear, uncertain of what horrors the next day might bring.
As tension simmers, stakeholders are calling on the federal government to treat the matter as a national emergency and swiftly deploy military support to forestall further bloodshed in the region.
PIONEER NEWS 