By Bridget Okoro
There is heightened tension in Ataroga, a border community between Ebonyi and Benue States, following an attack by suspected gunmen on Fulani herders, which resulted in the killing of over thirty cows.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, when residents were reportedly awakened by sustained 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 attack threw the community into panic, noting that the affected herders had lived peacefully in the area for several decades.
He explained that after the incident, the herders accused members of the community of being responsible and allegedly carried out reprisal actions, leading to the arrest of seven residents by the police.
The suspects were taken to Igumale, where they are currently being detained.
Chief Nwedoga further alleged that houses were being destroyed and properties looted in the community, and appealed to the Governors of Ebonyi and Benue States, Francis Nwifuru and Hyacinth Alia, to urgently intervene.
He said despite an intervention by the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area, who urged restraint while investigations continued, the situation has remained tense.
Other community stakeholders described the development as disturbing and called on the two state governments and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, to intervene to prevent further escalation.
Some residents, including traders, reported that their shops were looted at Aswa Chibueze and Igwebuike markets, with several businesses affected.
As at the time of this report, seven community members remain in police custody, while fear and uncertainty persist in the area amid concerns of possible further violence.
