by Adeola Balogun

Fresh clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Benue State have resulted in the deaths of no less than 3 persons.

Assailants suspected to be Fulani mercenaries yesterday attacked Ejima community in the Agatu local government area of the state leaving death and destruction in their wake.

The attack resulted in damage to several houses and farmlands while several residents were forced to flee their homes  for fear of their lives.

Saturday Vanguard reports:

The invaders who laid siege on the community, marched into the villages in their hundreds from neighboring Nasarawa state.

This fresh attack came on the heels of the last bloody fighting between the herdsmen and natives where over 33 lives were reportedly lost.

Confirming the renewed crisis, the member representing Agatu state constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Alhaji Audu Sule told journalists in Makurdi that the fresh attack occurred in the early hours of yesterday when the villagers were preparing to go to their farms.”

According to the lawmaker, “hundreds of Fulani mercenaries were hired by the Fulani invaders who have been attacking several communities in my local government area and we hear that they are planning to launch further attacks from neighboring Nasarawa state.”

Sule who lamented the persistent attack on his constituents by Fulani herdsmen urged security agencies in both Benue and Nasarawa states to step up the patrol of the border communities to avert further bloodbath in parts of Benue state.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent Daniel Ezeala said he was yet to receive details of the fresh attack but added that the Commissioners of Police, Adams Audu had since deployed well armed policemen to the crisis area to maintain peace –