Communities Protest Incessant Killings In Benue State

Members of communities in Benue State, Nigeria have protested over incessant killings in the state.

The protesters mostly youths from Agatu, Umogidi, Apa gathered during the week at Apa Local Government Area Headquarter to express their grievances.

The protesters said they were prevented from further protest by men of the Nigerian Army.

According to the protesters, the people of Apa, Agatu, Umogidi youths decided to stage mass action against the daily massacre of their people by herdsmen but the military barricade the Otukpo-Oweto-Loko Federal road.

The protesters said the same security operatives were nowhere to be found when the killer herdsmen unleashed mayhem on Atakpa, Ikobi, Edikwu, Ijaha, Ugbobi, Umogidi communities in Agatu, Apa and Otukpo Local Government Area in Benue State, killings estimated more than 100 people, including the Traditional Ruler of Ugbobi community and a son to the incumbent Chairman of Otukpo Locsl Government Area, destructions of farm lands and properties worth billions of naira.

The protesting Benue State residents said killer herdsmen are still occupying Ikobi, Ijaha and Edikwu communities.

Meanwhile, in a report presented by Ede Ogaba Ede, the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom during the week appealed to the grieving residents to be calm following Wednesday killing of 47 grieving people of Umogidi in Enterkpa ward of Otukpo local government area of Benue State by herdsmen militia.

Governor Samuel Ortom called for calm, just as he appealed to the people to be vigilant to ward off such attacks in future.

Governor Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Engineer Benson Abounu lamented the unending killing of Benue people by the herdsmen militia and the inability of security agencies to stop the armed herdsmen.

The Governor spoke separately during the week at Adoka Centre, where those displaced from the attack are currently taking refuge, and also at Umogidi, the scene of the killings, where he toured the deserted community, and was shown fresh graves of those killed by the herdsmen.

While appealing for calm and restraint, Governor Ortom said the people should be security conscious and remain ever vigilant to avoid being killed like chickens.

Chairman of Otukpo local Government Council, and an indigene of Umogidi, Right Honourable Bako Ejeh, whose biological son, brother-in-law, and nephew were killed by the herdsmen, told Governor Ortom that the Wednesday killings took place after they had buried 3 of their people, who were killed a day earlier by the terrorist herdsmen.

He disclosed that they had no problems with the herdsmen, and wondered why they decided to attack his people in such a gruesome manner.

He thanked Governor Ortom and the Deputy Governor, Engineer Abounu for responding immediately to their distress calls. He, however, called on the security agencies to increase their presence in the area to check the menace of the herdsmen.

One of the high points of the visit to Umogidi was the discovery of a 45-year housewife, Ene Ujah, who was believed to have been killed with others, having not been seen for 4 days.

The highly emaciated Ene Ujah was found unconscious in one of the deserted rooms, frozen by fear, and unable to walk. She was brought out and resuscitated to the delight of the deputy governor, her relations, and the people around.

The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the visit by Colonel Paul Hemba (retired), Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Lieutenant Colonel Obishere, who represented the Brigade Com­mander, 401 Special Forces Bri­gade, Makurdi.

Also, there were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Honourable Adah Abel Ikwom, and the member, Adoka/Ugboju State Constituency, Benue State House of Assembly, Honourable Michael Audu.