There is palpable tension in Ataroga, a border community between Ebonyi and Benue states, following an attack by suspected gunmen on Fulani herdsmen, which left more than 30 cows dead.
The incident occurred early Wednesday morning when residents were awakened by the sound of gunshots.
Ataroga is an Izzi speaking community located in Ado Local Government Area of ​​Benue State.
Speaking to journalists, the village head, Chief Nwedoga James, said the community was thrown into panic after gunmen invaded the area and killed several cows belonging to herders who had lived peacefully in the community for decades.
According to him, following the attack, the herdsmen accused the villagers of being the masterminds of the incident and allegedly took retaliatory action, which led to the arrest of seven community members by the police. The detainees were transferred to Igumale, where they are currently detained.
Chief Nwedoga further alleged that herdsmen have since been destroying houses and looting properties in the community, and appealed to the Governors of Ebonyi and Benue States, Francis Nwifuru and Hyacinth Alia respectively, to urgently intervene.
“On Thursday morning we were woken up early by the sound of gunshots. Families ran to the nearby bushes out of fear. In the morning, we discovered that unknown gunmen had attacked the herders and killed around 30 cows,” he said.
“Out of fear, many villagers fled the community. Later, the police arrived and arrested seven people, who were taken to Igumale.”
He revealed that despite the intervention of the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, who appealed to herdsmen not to carry out retaliatory attacks while investigations continued, the situation has worsened.
“We have lived peacefully with these herdsmen for years. We are innocent, but our houses are being destroyed and residents harassed. We are pleading with our governors to come to our rescue,” he added.
Other stakeholders, including Odebe Odegu and a church leader, Anthony Nwibo, described the situation as disturbing and called on the leaders of the two states as well as the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, to urgently intervene.
“We are in deep trouble. The Izzi here are treated like strangers. We are neither completely Benue nor Ebonyi. We are accused of a crime we did not commit,” they lamented.
“Our people are being attacked, our houses destroyed and our properties looted. Herdsmen are looting houses and harassing residents. We need urgent help,” shouted the village chief.
Meanwhile, victims of the alleged looting, Lawrence Ogodo, a pharmacy owner, and Joseph Agashi, a provision shop operator and pharmacist, said their shops were looted in Aswa Chibueze and Igwebuike markets, along with more than ten other shops.
At the time of filing, seven members of the community remain detained, while tension remains high in the area amid fears of further violence.