The Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura have been accused of being behind the attack on several communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue Sate.
The attack which has lingered for about three weeks now has reportedly left many killed and several homes razed by the armed militias suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
Speaking with DAILY POST on the crisis, an elder statesman, Mr Andrew Idakwo described the situation as chaotic. He said Agatu people were tired of the incessant attacks on them by some men alleged to be herdsmen, alleging that the Benue State Governor, Sam Ortom and his Nasarawa state counterpart, Al- Makura were conspiring with the herdsmen to annihilate Agatu people. Idakwo who described Agatu people as peaceful and hardworking, said the people of Agatu had not known peace for no just cause despite their peaceful disposition as a people.
“The Agatu people are majorly peasant farmers, unlearned, uneducated, peaceful and simple. They have nothing on them more than hoes and cutlasses. But the Fulanis have a lot of resources and since 2013, Agatu people never had peace. I think the marauder have an ulterior motive.
“The previous government of Benue State was helpful as it wanted peace, but the present government is doing nothing. I heard that they have razed Akwu, Aila, Okokolo communities and many others. Our people are still on the run, but as I speak with you, the government has done nothing to check these excesses.
“Our people have run away from home for dear lives. These are people who are well armed with sophisticated weapons just to slaughter them.
“The government is aware but is doing nothing. I appeal to the media, the press to tell the world what we are going through in Agatu local government in the hands of Fulani herdsmen. There is no way we can fight them. They have people in government who are supporting them by way of financing the attack.
“As I said earlier, they have an unclear motive, if not how can they plan to attack a settlement? Since December 2012, they left Agatu. When and where did Agatu people attack their cattle again as claimed? They are just looking for a way to exterminate Agatu people.
“I must say that the governors of Nasarawa and Benue States respectively are in collusion to punish our people. We have cried to both the state and the federal governments, but they gave us deaf ears. We must go to the UN and go to the whole world for help.
“About three weeks ago, the governors of Benue and Nasarawa met in Lafia and immediately after that meeting, the Fulani started the attack on Agatu people. Prior to that meeting, there had not been any attack for long. The place has been peaceful. If a war that has been put to an end since 2012 resurfaces again in 2016 immediately after Benue and Nasarawa States Governors had a closed door meeting in Lafia, then, it must be alleged that they are in collusion to attack Agatu people.
Reacting on the allegation of helicopter hovering around, supplying the militias food and weapons, he said he could not confirm it due to the fact that he was in Abuja and not at home (Agatu). He, however, affirmed that in Nigeria, anything is possible, noting that the people behind the attack on his people have the resources and all it takes to do and undo. ‘’Who knows if this is another form of Boko Haram insurgency springing up?,’’ Idakwo asked.
He also dismissed the allegation at some quarters that the defeat of the APC candidate, Dan Onjeh in the last Saturday Benue South Senatorial rerun election triggered the attack, saying that the militias launched the attack barely three weeks before the election was held.
Also speaking on the crisis, a retired Army General, Mr. Ehoda who is also from the local government said the Fulanis launched the fresh attack after alleging that some people from Agatu Local Government Area stole their cows.
“The Fulani/Agatu crisis has taken some time now. It is as a result of allegations of stealing of cows, and destruction of farm produce. And at the end, there will be no compensation and that has led to series of attacks in Agatu.
“But this time around, it is being alleged that some people from the neighboring local government passed through Agatu and it was alleged that they stole some cows belonging to the herdsmen.
Responding to the allegation that there are no security forces on ground to protect lives and property in Agatu despite the killings and razing of houses, General Ehoda said such was the imagination of the peddlers of the rumor, confirming the presence of the Police and the Military in the area.
“That is not true, they have their procedures. I am aware they are patrolling there as we speak,” noting that government is doing its best to restore peace in the area. ‘’ In fact, I just spoke to the Special Forces Commander in the area, and he said they were on top of the situation. You know when something of this nature happens, the military and other security forces have procedures to follow. You don’t expect them to just rush to the scene of an attack without putting their house in order. Such rush could lead to terrible casualties and I’m sure that was why the forces had to take their time before getting to the various communities, but as I speak to you, they are parading in Agatu and normalcy will soon return.
Reacting to the allegation that Helicopter was seen supplying food items and ammunition to the militias, he said it was alleged but he could not confirm that. He said,’’ but how will that be possible. That will involve a lot of technicalities.
DAILY POST contacted the Special Forces Commander deployed to Agatu, Col. Inuwa, to get situation report from the local government, but he declined to talk to the press, insisting that he must first be authorized before talking to the press. He advised that our reporter be asked to contact 82 Division, Enugu to get the permission before he could speak to the press.
Attempt to speak with Hon. Tarhav, Press Secretary to Governor Ortom of Benue State could not yield any positive result as his number was unavailable.
댓글