Agatu indigenes, communities live in fear, cry for help over incessant herders’ attacks

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Mr. Abih alleges threat to his life

By Anthony Maliki, Abuja

Due to the incessant herders’ attacks in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, a native of Odugbeho community in the local government, Mr Oije Alade Abih, has cried out to the government and the International community to come to their rescue.

Many communities in the local government have come under attack leading to the wanton destruction of properties and loss of lives.

Abih in a statement said government, security agencies and international community should intervene because the attacks have taken a different dimension.

He said “I was among the people abducted while travelling to my home town to visit my elderly mother for the Christmas. The attack took place at my own local government while travelling from Abuja on the 10th of December, 2023 and took the grace of God and the intervention of the state security personnel before we were rescued on the 18th of December.”

He said huge amount of money was paid as ransom before his release.

“Those killer herders have destroy so many lives and property in Agatu over the years. Please we need help from our Government and the International community to find lasting solutions to the lingering terrorists attack on our people. We are no longer safe anywhere we find ourselves in Nigeria,” he said.

Abih further narrated how he was traced to his new house at New Karu, Nasawara State by one the attackers with intent to assassinate him.

He said “I recognised the attacker, he is one those that abducted us in my home town.”

According to him, in the 22nd of January, 2024, he was traced to his new house address by one the attackers with the intent to assassinate him but luckily escaped through the fence by divine intervention.

He noted that he notified the security personnel in the area and since then has been hiding for fear his life.

Abih noted that on the 31st of January three persons lost their lives in another attack on his community and called on relevant authorities and the International community to save their soul.