The Idoma People of Nigeria would next Wednesday march to the National Assembly to register their displeasure over the ceaseless attacks on Agatu community, which have left several persons dead.
The people of the area said the continuous silence of the federal and Benue State governments over the incidents was becoming unbearable.
DAILY POST recalls that suspected Fulani herdsman had in a recent attack on the community reportedly killed no fewer than 300 persons.
A statement issued by the convener of One Idoma Initiative, Barr Paul Edeh said that “The protesters will take off from the Unity Fountain (beside Trancorp Hilton Hotel) Abuja by 9am and make their first stop at the Ministry of Justice, where they will submit their petition to the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister for Justice.
“Our next stop will be the National Assembly where we are expected to be received by the leadership of the National Assembly, along with representatives of the various constituencies in Zone C. We will also make stop overs at the Force Headquarters, Defence Headquarters, as well as the National Emergency, NEMA and Customs Headquarters,” he said.
He noted that the continuous silence of the Federal Government and the Benue State Government over the incidents had become excruciatingly unbearable.
He added that, “This carnage in Agatu must stop! Silence at a time like this isn’t golden. The government needs to hear our voice and act expeditiously.
“We call on all Idoma sons and daughters to come out in their thousands to lend their voices and protest against the attacks. The campaign should not just end in conventional media and on social media, with the proliferation of hash tags that are not harsh enough to stop the carnage. The Federal Government and Benue State Government need to go beyond rhetorics and act fast before it is too late.”
Part of the demand of 1 Idoma Initiative is that the Federal Government should set up a Commission of Enquiry to look into the root causes of the massacre of the Agatu people and proffer a short and long term solution to the problem and ensure the smooth relocation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their respective communities.
The convener also noted that the planned protest will seek the intervention of the Federal Government to support the Agatu people with relief materials in the various IDP camps in Otukpo and other neighboring communities.
Enenche D Comedian, Andy Obeya, Apeh Iwodi, Moses Ogidi (MADMO), Chris Morgan, Bashiru Adamu, Naomi Oboyi, Achienu Dorathy Joseph are part of the organizing team for the protest.
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