Gunmen have reportedly killed five people, including a traditional ruler, his wife, son and two other residents in Olegabulu community of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Residents told our correspondent that the attack occurred on Thursday night when the assailants, who arrived on two motorcycles, stormed the monarch’s residence and opened fire on him and his family members.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said four attackers carried out the operation.
According to him, they rode into the community without raising suspicion and went straight to the palace where they shot the monarch, his wife and son dead.
He added that the gunmen later moved to a nearby compound, where they killed two other residents before fleeing the area.
Other witnesses said the attackers initially blended in with the community, exchanging greetings in the local dialect.
“The attackers were not Fulani. When they arrived, they interacted freely with people in our dialect, so no one suspected that they were enemies.
“But immediately they entered the traditional ruler’s house, they opened fire and people started running for safety.
“They operated for about 20 minutes. After attacking the monarch’s residence, they moved to a nearby house and killed two more people. One person was injured before they fled,” a witness said.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident, stating that five people were killed while one person sustained injuries.
“It is true the incident happened. Five people were killed and one person was injured during the attack,” he said.
Ejeh added that security personnel, including the police, have visited the scene.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive details of the incident.