From Attah Ede, Makurdi, Samuel James, Ilorin and Dan Amasingha, Minna

Again, no fewer than 15 people were reportedly killed while several others sustained various degrees of injuries in a renewed attack by suspected armed herdsmen in Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.

According to a source, the attack started on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, two weeks after a similar assault in Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo LGA, where a district head of Agatu living in Otukpo local government area with seven others lost their lives. The source, who spoke to DAILY ASSET on phone on condition of anonymity, said 15 persons were killed in Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo communities respectively.”There was a small stream there, called Abekoko, one Ali from Ogwumogbo and 14 others whose names were not known yet, were killed”.“Our farming communities are now deserted, with residents fleeing to neighboring areas in search of safety.“The situation is dire, especially for women and children, who are urgently in need of assistance.”We call on the Benue State Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Dr. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia as well as security personnel, to kindly swing into action to put an end to this unfortunate massacre of our people by criminal herders”, the source said.The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council could not be reached for comment.However, a close aide to the council chairman told newsmen on phone that his principal could not be reached because he was far away attending the burial of those killed by the herders.The Aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity said the situation is pathetic, painful and a distraction of peace currently being enjoyed in Agatu area.”My chairman is pained over this latest killing because it was uncalled for, hence the relative peace and tranquility in our area since the beginning of year.”I can confirm to you that 15 people were killed in Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo communities in Agatu by armed herders.The chairman of Agatu Local Government Council Melvin James Ejeh who later confirmed the incident, said he was speechless.”I’m too emotional to speak about this incident. This is the first time we are witnessing this, since I became Chairman; I’m sad – Chairman”The attack was unprovoked. I thank the Benue State Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia for his quick intervention and also the security personnel who have been drafted to the area to forestall further attack”, the Aide said.When contacted, the chairman of Miyietti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) Benue State chapter, Mohammed Risku, said he was in a meeting and promised to call back.Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, said the command was yet to receive any report concerning the attack.Boat Mishap Claims 27 Passengers in KwaraTwenty seven people have reportedly died in a tragic boat mishap in Kwara State.The passengers were returning from a market trip in Niger State when the incident occurred.The tragedy happened barely seven months after over 100 villagers lost their lives in a boat in Gbajibo community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.According to eyewitnesses and a survivor, the accident was said to have occurred at night three days ago due to overloading.They said the total number of the passengers onboard was uncertain as the boat was designed to carry 100 passengers but often carried nearly 300 passengers during dry and rainy seasons.It was added that a heavy storm of the impending rain might have contributed to the mishap.While confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abdullah Danladi, who led a government delegation to commiserate with the families of the victims, warned that the government would no longer tolerate the yearly reoccurrence of such tragedies.The Chairman however announced plans to set up a committee to enforce strict compliance with life jacket usage and ban night travel on local boats in the area.In addition, the Emir of Kaiama, His Royal Highness Muazu Umar, pledged to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to ensure passengers and boat operators adhere to water travel safety standards.Seven die in Niger Truck AccidentAn early morning Sunday truck accident at Essa, along the Agaie- Badeggi federal highway in Katcha local government area of Niger State has claimed seven lives.Confirming the accident, Niger State Emergency Management agency said the articulated vehicle was heading to the northern state of Kano from Lagos.The truck was carrying federal government grains and some passengers numbering 36, all male and was heading to Kano from Lagos.The accident occurred at about 3:00AM on Sunday, and was attributed to failed portions of the road that were yet to be reconstructed on Lambata -Bida axis.As of the time of filing this report, 7 people were confirmed dead, 11 people with a severe degree of injuries, while 5 people sustained minor injuries. Some of the injured were taken to Badeggi and Agaie health centres, and others were taken away by their fellow colleagues.Most of the dead passengers were also taken away by their relatives.Search and rescue operations were carried out by Nsema alongside commuters and some villagers near the scene of the incident.The DG NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, caution road users to be conscious of the rainy season as they traverse the country, especially articulated truck drivers.