On Independence Day, October 1, 2024, suspected herdsmen attacked the Eguma community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, killing nine people. The victims included two soldiers and seven villagers, among them the village head of Eguma.
Former lawmaker Audu Sule, who served in the Benue State House of Assembly from 2011 to 2019, shared the tragic news in a phone conversation with Channels Television. He said the herdsmen invaded Eguma at around 3 pm and started killing people.
The soldiers stationed nearby in Ogwule village responded to the distress call, but unfortunately, two of them were also killed in the attack. The village head of Eguma and six other villagers lost their lives as well, bringing the total casualties to nine.
Sule also revealed that this attack is the fourth one on Eguma and Ogwule villages within the past month. He expressed concern about the growing security threats his community faces on a daily basis. Despite military intervention, the suspected herdsmen fled after a gun battle.