The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State, Melvin Ejeh, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice the criminal herders responsible for Sunday's deadly ambush that claimed six lives in the Ogwumogbo and Okpo'okpolo communities.

In a statement issued on Monday, Ejeh condemned the attack on traders returning from Oweto Market, describing it as a "barbaric, criminal, and heinous act" that threatens the fragile peace in the crisis-prone local government.

"It is sad and highly regrettable that some criminal herders are bent on causing yet another crisis despite the painstaking efforts by my administration to restore permanent peace in Agatu land," Ejeh stated.

The chairman clarified that six people were killed in the attack, contradicting earlier media reports that had put the death toll at 15. He identified the deceased as Haruna Shuaibu, Samuel Ibrahim, Aliyu Yahaya, Oyenge Adams, Malik Gabriel, and Fatima Shuaibu. Two other individuals sustained injuries during the incident.

Ejeh assured residents that security agencies, including the police, military, and Department of State Services (DSS), have already launched operations to identify, locate, and apprehend those behind the killings.

"The perpetrators and their sponsors must not go unpunished," he declared, emphasizing his administration's commitment to bringing the culprits to justice.

While addressing concerns about potential insecurity in the area, the council chairman called on citizens to remain calm and continue their daily activities. He noted that the local government is fully collaborating with security agencies to protect lives and property.

Ejeh also issued a stern warning that "anybody who is found to be aiding and abetting criminality in the local government area will be dealt with according to the law."

The Agatu area has a history of farmer-herder conflicts, and this latest incident threatens to undermine recent peace-building efforts in the region.