Lawmaker calls on Tinubu, Alia to step in to stop attack on Benue people

By Hannah Nathan, Warri

President Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and security agencies have been urged to put a halt to the ongoing killings in the area of Godwin Edoh, the member of the Benue State House of Assembly for the Agatu state constituency.

While touring the regions impacted by the recent assault on Agatu by herdsmen, Edoh made the call.

Condemning the savage assault on the helpless Agatu indigenous, he expressed dismay at the extent of wanton devastation.

The goal of the visit, according to Edoh, who was escorted on the trip by a combined patrol team from security agencies, was to determine how the incident affected the communities and express condolences for the lives lost.

He reported that during the attack, women and children fled from various areas, leaving behind only a small number of young people in Ikpelle Gochi and Ikpelle Gope in Agatu West.

“A recent attack on Okokolo, a few kilometres from Ikpelle, resulted in two deaths and many houses burnt, prompting residents of Ikpelle to flee due to speculation that Ikpelle and Warri could be the next targets in Agatu West.

“During the visit, the community pleaded with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and Rev. Hyacinth Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue state, to station military forces at the borders of Ogbumogbo in Agatu West and Okokolo in Agatu North to prevent future attacks.

“I assured the stakeholders and community leaders that addressing this issue is a top priority as well as expressed concern over the loss of lives and properties, and the hindrance of the people in accessing their farms and ancestral lands due to continuous attacks.

“I also pledged to present a motion on the floor of the Benue State House of Assembly once the House resumes from recess.

“Additionally, I am committed to writing letters to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to ensure that the affected communities receive relief materials while a permanent solution is explored”, the lawmaker said.

In addition to announcing plans for stakeholders to gather to discuss how to legitimately and legally defend and protect Agatu against invaders, he called on stakehol

ders to work together.