Benue Council boss raises alarm over infiltration of criminal herders

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Chairman Agatu Local government area of Benue State Melvin Ejeh has raised the alarm that criminal herders are bent on causing crisis in his area despite the painstaking efforts by his administration to restore permanent peace in Agatu land.

The council boss who raised the alarm in a press statement made available to the media Monday lamented over the tragic attack on some innocent citizens who were returning  from the market around Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo communities by a group of criminal herders resulting in the loss of six lives.

According to him, ‘the report that reached me indicated that the victims who were traders returning from Oweto Market in Agatu to their various villages were ambushed by their attackers.

“It is sad and highly regrettable that some criminal herders are bent on causing yet another crisis despite all efforts we are making to restore peace in the area.

“This barbaric ,criminal, and heinous crime is condemnable in its entirety. The perpetrators and their sponsors must not go unpunished. They must be fished out from their hideout to answer for their evil act”.

Ejeh who is also, the Deputy Chairman, ALGON said  the police, military, DSS, and other security agencies have begun action with a view to apprehending those involved.

Said he, “I wish to allay the fears of citizens  in the Council and appeal that they should continue with their normal activities.

“The local government will work with all the  security agencies to uproot the criminals from their hideout to face the wrath of the law, no matter how highly placed. Anybody who is found to be aiding and abetting criminality in the local government area will be dealt with according to the law.

“I call on every citizen to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities or movements to security agencies in the local government”.