Thursday, January 22, 2026 - There is palpable tension in Ataroga, a border community between Ebonyi and Benue states, following an attack by suspected gunmen on Fulani herders, resulting in the killing of over 30 cows.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when
residents were reportedly awakened by the sound of gunshots.
Ataroga is an Izzi-speaking community located in Ado Local
Government Area of Benue State.
Speaking to journalists, the village head, Chief Nwedoga
James, said the community was thrown into panic after gunmen invaded the area
and killed several cows belonging to herders who had lived peacefully in the
community for decades.
According to him, following the attack, the herders accused
villagers of masterminding the incident and allegedly embarked on reprisal
actions, leading to the arrest of seven community members by the police. The
arrested persons were taken to Igumale, where they are currently detained.
Chief Nwedoga further alleged that the herders have since
been destroying houses and looting properties in the community, and appealed to
the governors of Ebonyi and Benue states, Francis Nwifuru and Hyacinth Alia,
respectively, to urgently intervene.
“We were woken up early on Thursday morning by the sound of
gunshots. Families ran into nearby bushes out of fear. By morning, we
discovered that unknown gunmen had attacked the herders and killed about 30
cows,” he said.
“Out of fear, many villagers fled the community. Later, the
police came and arrested seven people, who were taken to Igumale.”
He disclosed that despite an intervention by the Chairman of
Ado Local Government Area, who appealed to the herders not to carry out
reprisal attacks while investigations continued, the situation has worsened.
“We have lived peacefully with these herders for years. We
are innocent, yet our houses are being destroyed and residents harassed. We are
pleading with our governors to come to our rescue,” he added.
Other stakeholders, including Mr Odebe Odegu and a church
leader, Mr Anthony Nwibo, described the situation as disturbing and called on
leaders of the two states, as well as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate,
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, to intervene urgently.
“We are in serious trouble. The Izzi people here are treated
like strangers. We are neither fully Benue nor Ebonyi. We are being accused of
a crime we did not commit,” they lamented.
“Our people are being attacked, our houses destroyed, and
our properties looted. Herdsmen are looting homes and harassing residents. We
need urgent help,” the village head cried out.
Meanwhile, victims of the alleged looting, Mr Lawrence
Ogodo, a chemist shop owner, and Mr Joseph Agashi, a provision store operator
and pharmacist, said their shops were looted at Aswa Chibueze and Igwebuike
markets, along with over ten other shops.
As of the time of filing this report, seven community
members remain in detention, while tension remains high in the area amid fears
of further violence.
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