In Benue Soldiers allegedly kill pregnant woman, 5 others in Agatu

Soldiers have allegedly killed a pregnant woman and five others in the Agatu community of Benue state, reports say.

According to Daily Post, this is coming after youths in the community reportedly killed a soldier on duty.

Residents also said that the soldiers have chased indigenes of six villages, namely Olegadakolo, Ikpele, Otugologwu, Iwali, Okpanchenyi and Egba, away.

An eyewitness who spoke to reporters said “This is genocide on our people; as I’m talking to you now, six villages have been sacked, children and women have moved out of the affected villages, while many people have been arrested by the invading soldiers.”

Reacting to the reports, the Benue Police spokesman, Moses Yamu said “I only heard that the community attacked and killed one soldier. I have not heard about soldiers attacking the community. Maybe you can contact the military.”

The Brigade Commander of the 707 Special Force, Brig. Clement Apere, also said “The operation we conducted in the area was carried out in a professional way.”

The Sole Administrator of Agatu LGA, Mike Inalegwu debunked the reports saying “There is no iota of truth in that; no one was killed, the military were only on the mission to recover their arms and ammunition.”

On Monday, February, 13, 2017, Governor Samuel Ortomcondemned the attack and called on Agatu community leaders to produce the culprits.