By Prosper Mene
Grief has swept through Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State following a deadly attack by suspected armed herdsmen that claimed the lives of four people, including a mother and her son, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
The brutal assault, which occurred in the Egwuma and Ogbai communities, has left residents tearful and stirred renewed calls for action to curb the escalating violence in the state.
According to local sources, the attackers stormed the communities in a coordinated midday assault, targeting villagers who were working on their farms. Among the victims were a woman and her son, killed while tending to their crops in Egwuma. Two others were fatally attacked in the neighboring Ogbai community. A resident, who identified himself only as Inalegwu, recounted the horror: “Some herdsmen attacked Egwuma and Ogbai today. They killed a woman and her son on their farm and two others in Ogbai. Two people are still missing, and we’re searching for them.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, confirmed the killings, describing the act as “senseless and barbaric.” He expressed frustration over the challenges faced by security operatives, citing poor road conditions as a significant obstacle. “The security operatives in Agatu are doing their best, but the bad roads make it difficult. At the time of the attack, they were on surveillance in other areas,” James explained.
The attack is an addition to the string of violent incidents in Benue State, including a devastating assault in Yelewata, Guma LGA, in June 2025, where over 200 people were reportedly killed. Just two weeks prior, on August 11, three more lives were lost in Yelewata, prompting protests by local women demanding better security.
The recurring violence, often attributed to suspected Fulani herdsmen, has fueled accusations of ethnic cleansing and land-grabbing, with community leaders like Professor James Ayatse, the Tiv traditional ruler, rejecting the narrative of a mere herder-farmer clash.
Residents lament the lack of timely security intervention, with many pointing to the absence of personnel during critical moments. The Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, noted she had not yet received a report on the incident due to being on an official tour but promised to provide updates.
The attack has worsened the sense of fear and displacement in Agatu, with two individuals still unaccounted for as search efforts continue. Community members are calling for urgent government action to address the root causes of the violence and ensure justice for the victims
