20 persons killed in Benue

Suspected Fulani herdsmen yesterday attacked Agasha town of Guma local government area of Benue State and allegedly killed no fewer than 20 persons and burnt several houses in the process. Scores of persons were also declared missing after the attack.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the attack occurred at about 6am when the attackers in their hundreds invaded Agasha and started shooting sporadically.

Agasha is located at the bank of the River Buruku, a tributary of the River Benue, and it shares a border with some communities of Logo local government area of the state, the home of Governor Gabriel Suswam.

It was gathered that the invaders crossed to Agasha through the River Buruku, and started shooting and burning houses. They were said to have ransacked the communities located at the river banks. Eye witnesses said several persons are displaced and others still missing.

The special assistant to Governor Suswam on banking and investment, Mr Ayoosu Bem whose house was also burnt told LEADERSHIP on phone that the attackers were driven away by youths in the area.

Bem said, “The attackers came this morning and started burning houses and some of our boys are missing. But the herdsmen have retreated and crossed over to the river.”

The police spokesperson, SP Daniel Ezeala confirmed the attack but said the command is yet to confirm the number of casualties.

Meanwhile, 55 people died in two road crashes in Yobe State in the early hours of yesterday, the Federal Road Safety Commission, Yobe Command has said.

The public relations officer of the commission in Yobe State, Yusuf Sani told newsmen in Damaturu that one of the accidents occurred along Gashua-Garin Alkali road, killing 20 people, while the other one involving three cars occurred on Damaturu-Potiskum road, causing the death of 35 people.

An eyewitness in Gashua who spoke with LEADERSHIP on phone said the accident happened when some villagers were returning from the Sunday Market in the area.

The FRSC PRO explained that the accidents were as a result of over-speeding and dangerous overtaking.

In another development, 10 people were yesterday evening burnt to death in a motor accident which occurred along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The FRSC Oluyole Unit Commander, Sanya Adeoye who confirmed the incident said four other people survived while the 10 victims were burnt beyond recognition.

The accident, he said, involved three vehicles, two trucks and one 18-seater Toyota Hiace commercial bus with registration number BDG 767 XB.

Source: Leadership