No fewer than three farmers in two communities of Benue State have been killed by suspected herders.
The casualties were killed in separate attacks on their farms in Entekpa and Idabi over the weekend.
According to Channels, the chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area Alfred Omakwu on Tuesday said that one person was killed at his farm in Entekpa village before the attackers moved up to Adoka’Icho where they killed two other farmers at Idabi village.
He said, “Three of our people were killed by armed herdsmen during the weekend. The first attack happened at Entekpa where one farmer was killed. Then the attacks moved to Adako’Icho at Idabi village and killed two others working on their farm,” the LG chief narrated.
He called for help from both federal and state governments to step up security deployment to the area to nip the attacks and killing in the bud. According to him, the communities have been deserted when farmers are supposed to be preparing for the planting season.
“These attacks have persisted since the beginning of the season but we are appealing to the federal and state government to quickly come to our aid with security deployment to halt the attack,” Omakwu said.
Suspected herdsmen attacks in Benue since January have been a source of concern for farmers in rural communities.
