Kogi youths under the aegis of Unyogba Ojane in Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State have called on Governor Idris Wada and President Goodluck Jonathan to check the activities of the Agatu militiamen who have turned the area to a slaughter slab from degenerating into a full scale war.
The president of the association, Idi Usman, made the call on Sunday in Abejukolo, headquarters of Omala Local Government Area over the recent killings of herdsmen by the Agatu militiamen.
He noted that the wanton killings without provocation have become one too many. The group leader stated that over 50 cows were shot and killed in early morning raids at Ojuwo- Ugweche by the militiamen numbering over 100 which called for concern.
He stressed that the group was saddened with the activities of Agatu militiamen who would take the laws into their hands by hunting for the Fulanis to the soil of Omala, which is in Kogi State whenever they were attacked by Fulani in Benue State.
According to him, “Just three days ago, over 50 Agatu militiamen armed with sophisticated weapons stormed Abejukolo shooting sporadically for hours before the soldiers who were station there came to disperse them.
Usman further hinted that unless Governor Wada, President Jonathan and the security agencies take a proactive measure to stop this marauders, the activities of the Boko Haram are about to be unleashed in the area.
He added that the same Agatu militias, were shooting and killing cows belonging to Bagana people, which led to the burning and destruction of Bagana village which had made the village to be reduced to rubbles.
He warned that unless the chiefs speak out to the promoters of the Agatu militias, who moves around in their hundreds with all brands of AK 47, terrorising the people of Omala, what happened in Bagana could be best imagined.” He said despite the deployment of soldiers, navy and policemen to the area, the Agatus have kept committing atrocities without regard to law and order.
He, however, implored the traditional rulers headed by HRH Boniface Musa the Ojogba of Ife to liaise with his counterpart in Agatu Local Government Area to find quick ways of check-mating their militias from coming to Omala to perpetuate the dastardly act, warning that the people of Omala could be forced to defend themselves against external aggressors.
