Youths from Egba Community in Agatu LGA of Benue State on Saturday, sent farmers from their neighbouring communities of Ologba, Ekaida and Edeje out of their farms, thereby preventing them from carrying out their farming activities for the day.
Egba and Ologba have been at war for more than a decade now over ownership of a fish pond.
All efforts by the Benue State and Local Governments, Idoma Area Traditional Council, stakeholders, and security agencies to end the lingering communal crisis have proved abortive so far, as both communities have refused to accept all the proffered solutions to the crisis.
The latest altercation happened in the early hours of Saturday when Egba youths mobilized themselves and opened fire on farmers from Ologba, Ekaida and Edeje who were carrying out their legitimate farming activities in their various farms, sending them away from their farms.
The rampaging Egba youths also seized sprayers, tanks, chemicals, phones, and other farm materials belonging to Ologba, Ekaida, and Edeje farmers.
Narrating her ordeal at Obagaji, the Agatu LGA Headquarters, one of the victims, Mrs Omeche from Ekaida said, “My husband, I, and two of our children were working in our farms, and suddenly, Egba youths appeared and started chasing us away, telling us never to come to the farm again. I also saw them pursuing other farmers, seizing their tanks, sprayers, chemicals, phones, and other materials as they continued to shoot in the air,” she said.
Community Volunteer Guards Commander, Agatu LG, Mr. Ngbede Charlie, who addressed the victims, mostly women, confirmed the attack on farmers from Ologba, Ekaida, and Edeje, describing it as a cowardly and dastardly act.
The hoodlums from Egba remained defiant as they continued to occupy the farms even after sending the farmers away until the intervention of the military personnel stationed at Obagaji, who finally chased them away.
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer, Agatu LGA, CSP Danzobe George, confirmed the skirmish but said he was yet to be briefed on what transpired.
Benue communal crisis: Egba youths chase away Ologba, Ekaida, Edeje farmers