Agatu indigenes of Benue state have continued to lament over the untold hardship and perpetual fear that now becloud their different communities due to the recent multiple attacks launched on them by some Fulani herdsmen, resulting to the death of many indigenes, mainly men and children.
DailyPost has gathered that the entire local government has remained unsettled and displaced since the incident took them unawares. Reliable investigation has revealed that over 65 Agatu indigenes fell to the unfortunate attacks.
DailyPost embarked on an aftermath investigation to ascertain the extent of damage done to the community as well as the reaction of prominent Agatu indigenes.
“As I speak to you, my house in the village has been burnt to ashes by the attackers, people have been displaced. Innocent women and children have all vacated their communities to neighboring towns. Most of our people have now become refugees in Ugbokpo, Adoka and Otukpo. This is senseless and inhumane, it’s unfortunate” These were expressions of agony, despair, and uneasiness by the coordinator of Agatu youth vanguard, Comrade, Audu George who spoke with our correspondent in Makurdi .
Audu, while expressing that the attack was painfully an unprovoked one regretted that his people were already aware of the attack before the Fulanis struck. He said that they had earlier been informed that his community, Okokolo was going to be attacked before the herdsmen struck . He said, “ we had minimal casualty on the first day because we were already aware that the attackers were coming. Therefore, many people left the community. On the very first attack on Okokolo, 11 people were killed, out of whom were 4 disabled, 3 mad people as well as old people and children.
Speaking on the genesis of the attack, the Comrade disclosed that the problem started in December 2012 in Okokolo. According to him, “ Some Fulani herdsmen had problem with some Tiv villagers, and the head of herdsmen in the area escaped to Okokolo. He was traced to our village market, and bugled away by some people believed to be Tiv fighters. Few days after they had whisked him away, and they could bot trace their leader, they came to our community, demanding to know what happened to their chief. Our chief could only give little or no explanation, as he was not even aware of what transpired. They had left our village angrily that day with the message of an aggressive return in retaliation.
“ Due to the open threat, we informed the DPO in Agatu Local Government Area, and Honourable Audu Sule who happens to be our representative, but they remained mum over the threat, as no tangible reaction came from them. Since then, we have been receiving series of threats from the invaders.
Speaking on the first attack in Okokolo, he said “ they came in thousands, but because most people had left, they maimed whatever they saw and set our houses ablaze. We lost 11 of our people, but mainly deformed and mad people”
However, two people were killed at Oche-Agatu’s residence, and his house was also burnt down.
Speaking on the second attack, the youth leader said that about 23 people were killed in the coordinated attacks that took place at Okpanchenyi and Ikwo. “ Abut 22-23 people were killed in the attack. Majority of them were actually children and the disabled who could not run for dear lives. When they came to where the mourners of the late policemen were gathered, they threw some knockouts, and in the process, captured some of our people and slaughtered them. However, some of them also fell to our men. We also discovered that most of the attackers killed were not Fulani herdsmen, they were mercenaries hired to carry out the attack.
Debunking the allegation that about 50 cows belonging to the herdsmen were seized, before the attack, Audu said, there was no element of truth in such an assertion. He said “ There was nothing of that nature. If 50 cows were seized, we should know who seized them, where and how. There is no information of such. 50 cows are not 5 chickens. That statement was mischievous and full of deceit. Please do not be biased in your release, let the whole world know what we are going through at the moment. Our people are suffering, and these people have threatened to return again, but this time around, we are all ready for them, let them come, we are waiting “
Meanwhile, elder-statesman and a onetime Deputy Governor aspirant in Benue state, Andrew Idakwo has expressed great sadness over the unfortunate incident. Speaking with Dailypost, Idakwo had affirmed that the attack was not in any way provoked by the Agatu people. He said that the invaders stormed the community in hundreds to kill and destroy property of the local government. As I speak to you, our people have been displaced. I was at Ugbokpo and Onyagede yesterday with the Senate President, David Mark and other government delegates. I have told my people to go home. When I went back to the place today, I discovered that most of them have gone home. That shows that peace is gradually returning to my community. Both the state and the Federal government have been so supportive. Aside the visit of the Senate President, the Minister of interior, Comrade Abba Moro also came to see the situation by himself. Security men have been deployed to the area. However, I see those security men as peace keepers, as my people have already made up their minds to protect themselves. People are now refugees in their own community. What we want in Agatu now is to gradually rebuild the confidence of the people. As a responsible government, the government should try to ask how these people crossed the river to our own side of the world. Something must be done about this.”
Another Agatu indigene who had pleaded anonymity said that some people in the community give the attackers information, because at every attack, information gets to the community before the attack. According to him, “ You see, these people have informants in Agatu here. This is simply because, before every attack, we get reliable information that they will be attacking. Whoever is responsible for this information, we do not know. We are suspecting some people, but since nothing has clearly shown that they are the ones, we will continue to monitor the situation. “ He said.
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