…Appeals For FG’s Federal Decisive Action
The Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Standing Committee on National Inland Waterways, Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema, has condemned the renewed herdsmen attack on Okokolo Community in Agatu Local Government of Benue State.
Suspected herdsmen in the late hours of Thursday, 18th January, 2024 attacked Okokolo Community, resulting to the death of four and one wounded military personnel.
In a strong worded condemnation message he personally signed, Hon Ojema expressed total sadness and condemnation over the renewed onslaught on the innocent people of Agatu LGA, describing it as another reminder of the calamities that befell on the people in the past.
He calls on the Federal Government to quickly move into action to nip the resurgent attacks in the bud in order to prevent further escalation to other communities in Agatu and neighbouring Apa LGA.
The Federal Lawmaker pays tribute to the families of all the military personnel who lost their lives, saying they were martyred for trying to defend their father land.
Ojema assured the people of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency that he is working relentlessly in collaboration with all traditional rulers, religious, political Leaders and relevant security agencies in order to bring lasting solution to the lingering insecurity in the Federal Constituency.
He called on the people to be security conscious and report any suspecting movement to security agencies, urging them not to take law into their hands.
Similarly, concerned community group under the aegis of Agatu For Peace and development initiatives,
has said that attacks by alleged Fulani herdsmen at Ogwumogbo, Ejima and currently Ogbeyi Go’okpa G’echo advancing to Okokolo in Agatu Benue State is highly condemnable and called for a serious round table discussion by the Agatu local government Chairman, State Governor and the Neighboring Governor of Nasarawa state.
They observed that this ugly trends always and only continue to leave the citizens of those communities and others in a pitiful state of total confusion, uncomfortably scampering for help outside their villages at this time of unbearable economic hardship.
The association commended the Executive governor of Benue state for his proactiveness in repelling the situation and avoiding further attacks by engaging the security men to stopped further attacks by the herdsmen.
“We are calling on Agatu stakeholders to take this matter seriously devoid of political differences to parley with the executive Governor not as enemies but friends towards one course of achieving lasting peace in our communities.
“Just when the Association celebrated it’s end of the year 2023 thanking God for minimal attacks by this same enemy and asking God for permanent peace, yet we are confronted by the same Fulani attacks, God Almighty we asked that you change them or turn their evils plans away from Agatu.
In a statement signed by the association’s Peace Committee Chairman, Umar Sheriff, the association called on concerned Agatu sons and daughters to unite in one voice to enable them to defeat the enemy permanently.
On behalf of the Patrons, President and the entire Agatu people, the association extended heartfelt condolences to the victims of the attacked and prayed that God Almighty will give their families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable lost.
