Rep Member Raises The Alarm Over Presence Of Armed Herders In 20 Benue Communities

Rep Member Raises The Alarm Over Presence Of Armed Herders In 20 Benue Communities
Spread the love

Loading

A Rep Member, Pastor Ojotu Ojema has raised the alarm over the alleged presence of armed Herders in 20 Communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Hon Ojema, who represents Apa/Agatu federal constituency also called on the Nigerian military to embark on clearance operations against armed herders threatening the peace of the affected communities.

Speaking to newsmen over the weekend, Ojema said the armed herders were presently occupying 20 communities in the area after displacing natives.

The lawmaker lamented that the activities of the armed herders had increased over time in many communities in the Agatu area of the State, resulting in sacking of over 20 communities and loss of lives.

Ojema added that there was need for the Nigerian Military to step up more capacity and proactive approach to curtail the situation.

Lamenting that the Apa/Agatu axis of Benue State remained the most abandoned and maltreated local government area in Nigeria following the high-level of insecurity being experienced, Ojema said :

“Since I entered the national assembly as a representative of my people, I have visited Agatu more than 25 times and all of these bothers on coming to console people that have been attacked by suspected herders.

“I remember vividly when I was just two months in office, there was an attack in Ayila which I needed to put myself together to identify with the people.

“I moved a motion in the floor of the house and not too long, there was another attack in that same place, five security men were killed and I came again, saw it myself and I still went back to the house, moved a motion to that effect.

“As I speak with you, just Tuesday, exactly October 1, while people were celebrating and others were thinking on how to celebrate the independence, another attack happened in Egwuma community where six persons were killed, including the community leader and two soldiers.

These soldiers were particularly mobilized to that community because of incessant attacks on that same community.

“As I speak with you, over 20 communities in that area have been sacked. The place has been turned into a forest.

“I came to 72 battalion north bank in Makurdi and I told them that there was a need for soldiers to be permanently stationed in that area and they did.

“Over 50 soldiers were taken to the area and on that fateful day, armed herders appeared from nowhere, killed so many people in that community and thereafter they descended on the soldiers.

“The situation is worrisome. The most worrisome aspect of it is that these people wsacked our people and decided to live in the community with their cattle, do their normal business, then look for the next community to attack”, Ojema lamented.

He also called on the country’s security apparatus to urgently step up their efforts in ensuring that they brought total freedom and salvaged the situation in Agatu.

“This is because considering the capacity and volume of the level of professionalism the Nigeria security is known for, I can’t believe that there is anybody with capacity to challenge them or overpower them.

“So, what they need to do is to step up their work by engaging in clearance operations. If they cannot go by road, they can go by air because these people cannot overrun the security of this country,” he further stated.

Editor

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!