Ex Benue LG boss proffers solution to Agila /Ngbo boundary dispute

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Federal Government has been urged to as matter of urgency site a military barrack and construct a Trunk A road along the boundary between Agila people of Ado local government area in Benue State and Ngbo people of Ebonyi State.
Immediate past Council Chairman of Ado local government area Mr. James Oche who gave the advice at the weekend also, appealed to the federal government to rehabilitate the lives of the people who have been displaced as assault of the crisis.
Oche regretted that the prolonged border conflict between the People of Agila in Ado Local Government of Benue State and and that of Ohaukwu in Ebonyi State has taken a worrisome dimension of incessant attacks and killings.
He recalled that on Monday, the 9th of January, 2020 at about 7:30pm six persons returning from Otukpo, the traditional headquarters of the Idomas were accosted, killed and beheaded by gun men highly suspected to be militia from Ohaukwu.
“The sad incident which occurred close to St. Peter’s Catholic Church Agila has left the people in tears and fear. A distress call made by the Parish Priest, Rev Fr Emmanuel Onoja decried the terror, sorrow and confusion that has seized the area. The spillover effects of the attack has been massive evacuation of persons from the neighbouring villages of Ijigban, Ulayi and Ekile which are also border communities with Ebonyi State for fear of being murdered. Houses and properties were equally destroyed in the attack.
“The victims who were said to be returning from Otukpo in a vehicle were attacked at a portion of the road between Apa- Agila and Akpoge Ogbilolo close to the church and murdered/beheaded. Those killed are Omerigwe Ogbu, Noah Akpoge, Orinya Adai and Otokpa Egwa. Others are Onoja Adams and Aboh Ogebe”Oche said.
He commiserated with the bereaved and enjoined them to be vigilant of their safety and report suspicious events promptly to security agencies.