Benue: Victims Narrate Horror as Fulani Herdsmen Attack Egwuma Community in Agatu LGA
By Matthew Eloyi
The serene village of Egwuma in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State has been left in ruins following a brutal attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Sunday, leaving a trail of destruction, death, and despair. This incident, which has once again highlighted the insecurity plaguing the region, saw over 58 houses razed and several lives lost, further deepening the scars of a community that has suffered repeated violence.
In a phone interview with Mr Gabriel Sani, a retired civil servant and one of the victims of the attack, the pain and frustration were palpable. His voice, heavy with emotion, narrated the horror that befell Egwuma, painting a picture of the fear and chaos that gripped the village as the attackers descended upon them.
“The attack was sudden and brutal. We were caught off guard,” Mr. Sani recounted, his voice trembling as he spoke.
“They came in large numbers, setting our homes on fire and shooting anyone they came across. Part of my house was also burnt. We lost our belongings, and most painfully, our loved ones,” he added.
Mr. Sani vehemently refuted claims circulating in some quarters that the attacks were the result of internal conflict within the Agatu Local Government Area. According to him, such reports are not only misleading but also add insult to injury for the grieving community.
“These were not our people. This was not an internal dispute. The attackers were Fulani herdsmen and their mercenaries, who we believe came from neighbouring Kogi and Nasarawa states. They were heavily armed and well-organized. It’s clear that this was a coordinated attack meant to terrorize and displace us,” Mr. Sani asserted.
The attack on Egwuma is the latest in a series of violent incidents attributed to Fulani herdsmen in the Agatu area, a region that has seen repeated clashes between local farmers and herders over land and grazing rights. Despite efforts by the government and security agencies to curb the violence, the situation remains volatile, with many residents living in constant fear of further attacks.
“We have cried out for help time and time again, but it feels like no one is listening. How long will we continue to suffer like this? Our people are being killed, our homes destroyed, and our land taken from us. We need the government to take decisive action to protect us and bring these attackers to justice,” Mr. Sani lamented.
The destruction in Egwuma is extensive, with charred remains of homes and properties serving as a stark reminder of the violence that occurred. Many survivors have been left homeless, seeking refuge in neighbouring communities and makeshift shelters. The humanitarian situation is dire, with urgent calls for relief materials and support for those affected.
As the community of Egwuma mourns its dead and begins the arduous process of rebuilding, there is a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. The repeated attacks have left the people weary and disillusioned, with many questioning when, or if, peace will ever return to their land.
For Mr. Sani and others like him, the pain of losing their homes and loved ones is a wound that may never fully heal. But amidst the sorrow, there is also a resolve to keep fighting for their right to live in peace and security—a resolve that will not be easily extinguished, even in the face of such overwhelming adversity.