From Uche Nnorom. Makurdi
A member of the Benue House of Assembly for Agatu State Constituency Hon. Godwin Abu Edoh has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia and security agencies to urgently intervene and stop the incessant and senseless killings in the area.
Edoh who made the appeal after embarking on a tour of areas affected by the recent attack, decried the high level of destruction.
Accompanied on the tour by a joint patrol team comprising the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Air Force, the Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defense, and volunteer guards, he explained that the purpose is to assess the impact of the attack on the communities, mourn with the people over the loss of lives and property.
Also, the state legislator noted that the attack has left many communities including Ikpelle Gochi and Ikpelle Gope in Agatu West, completely deserted, with women and children fleeing, while only a few young people left in the communities.
He added other communities like Ogwumogbo, Ejima Gega, and Ejima Geche where several houses were burnt and five persons killed have also been deserted since last year’s attack with armed herdsmen occupying the villages till date.
“A recent attack on Okpokpolo, a few kilometers from Ikpelle, resulted in two deaths and many houses burnt, prompting residents of Ikpelle to flee due to speculation that Ikpelle and Warri could be the next targets in Agatu West.
“During the visit, the community pleaded with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and Rev. Hyacinth Alia, the Executive governor of Benue state, to station military forces at the borders of Ogbumogbo in Agatu West and Okokolo in Agatu North to prevent future attacks.
“I assured the stakeholders and community leaders. that addressing this issue is a top priority as well as expressed concern over the loss of lives and properties, the hindrance of the people in accessing their farms and ancestral lands due to continuous attacks.
“I also,pledged to present a motion on the floor of the Benue State House of Assembly once the house resumes from recess.
“Additionally, am committed to writing letters to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure that the affected communities receive relief materials while a permanent solution is explored”, the lawmaker said.
He therefore, called for collaboration among stakeholders while announcing plans for a stakeholders’ meeting to find legal and legitimate means to defend and protect Agatu from invaders.
