No fewer than 30 people have been killed by armed bandits in Kebbi and Benue States.
In Benue, 15 traders were killed by suspected herders in Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
In Kebbi, 15 farmers were killed while three others were injured during a bandits’ attack in Waje District in Danko/Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State.
For the Benue attack, a local in a telephone conversation told our correspondent that the victims were returning from Oweto market in Agatu when suspected herdsmen suddenly came out from a nearby bush and opened fire on them, killing 15 on the spot.
A former Vice Chairman of Agatu LG, John Ikwulono, who confirmed the attack in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said the suspected herders ambushed the traders on Saturday evening when they were returning from Oweto Market after sales.
According to him, the herders, after killing the traders, took their money and belongings and fled into the surrounding bushes.
“As I speak to you, some persons are still missing, while those who sustained gunshot injuries were taken to an undisclosed hospital in the area for treatment.
He said, “Five out of the 15 people were killed between Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo, where there’s a small stream called Abekoko.
Our correspondent gathered that the victims were buried today, Sunday, 18 May 2025
Efforts to speak with the Council Chairman, Melvin James, proved abortive; however, it was learnt he attended the burial of the slain traders.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, said she had yet to receive the reports.
In Kebbi, 15 farmers were killed while three others were injured during a bandits’ attack in Waje District in Danko/Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State.
An indigene of the area who spoke to Newsmen on Sunday under anonymity said the suspected bandits have attacked the area with sophisticated weapons and instantly killed 15 farmers and injured another three people while clearing their farms and fled into the unknown forest.
He added that people in the area are now living in fear following the attack, which has put the families of the victims in a traumatic condition.
Chairman of Danko/Wasagu local government, Hussani Aliyu Bena, however, confirmed to our Reporter in a telephone interview, the Killing of 15 farmers and the injury of 3 others.
The chairman also revealed that Danko/ Wasagu LG, which borders Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, created vulnerabilities and appealed for more security personnel to block these entry points.
Governor Nasir Idris has since paid a sympathetic visit to the area and donated twenty-one million to the Families of the deceased and the injured.
Deputy governor Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida, who represented the governor during the sympathy visit, presented the cash donation to the victims’ families, accompanied by top government officials.
