Army soldiers watch helplessly as Fulani herdsmen rampage in Benue State

Just a few hours after dozens of Nigerians lost their lives in a powerful blast at the Nyanya bus stationin Abuja on April 14, 2014, Monday, Fulani herdsmen killed nine persons in Benue State and abducted three others.

A reader sent his account of the incident to info@naij.com. He narrates how, at about 2.35 p.m. on Monday, armed Fulani herdsmen invaded Obagaji, which is headquarters of Agatu local government are of Benue State.

Our reader is shocked by the conduct of Nigerian Army soldiers who allowed the hoodlums to carry on with their violent activities. He says local youths came to the area to assist those under attack, but were forced to turn back by the soldiers who allowed the killings and kidnappings to be carried out.

Of the nine killed persons, five were brothers from one family. The victims' bodies, as our reader informs, were taken to the apartment of the LGA chairman after the Fulanis left.

Our reader says the soldiers' presence in the area only endangers lives of the local people, adding the soldiers are afraid of the Fulani attackers and believe the battle between the locals and the attackers is more of a spiritual than physical character.

The money which was wasted on their allowances could have been given to local youths to patrol the borders, and that would have been much more effective, he says. Since the soldiers were stationed in Agatu, the mortality rate has been on the rise.

Meanwhile, Benue State police public relations officer, Daniel Ezeala, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed deaths of not nine, but 12 victims. He disclosed the remains have since been moved to the mortuary.

Chairman of the Agatu Elders' Committee Sule Ngbede, and Secretary Abu Onum said the soldiers have not been patrolling flash points.

Mr. Ngbede said the deceased young men had gone to fetch some sand for building purposes and trekked to a river. There, the gunmen attacked and killed them.
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