Benue governor reacts to recent killings in Agatu, calls for calm

Amidst the resurgence of attacks by suspected killer herdsmen on hapless rural communities in Benue State, Governor Samuel Ortom has appealed to the people of Agatu local government area to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their hands, even as he charged the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the killings.

Speaking at Oweto while receiving victims and survivors of the Tuesday night attack on Ebete community, where 17 innocent men, women and children were killed in their sleep, Governor Ortom said the state government would no longer tolerate the unprovoked killing of its citizens by people, who do not mean well for this country.
Represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu , Governor Ortom called for full investigations into the attack, with a view to apprehending the brains behind it. He wondered what could cause people in their right senses to kill a 2-month old baby and poor defenceless women, adding that even in war, women and children are spared the horror of such barbaric killings.

Also speaking, member representing Apa/Agatu at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Ademu Entonu called on the federal government to beef up security in the riverine areas of the state.

He also called on the law enforcement agencies to arrest the violators of the Benue State anti-open grazing law, who according to him, have continued to openly graze their cows and eat up the crops of farmers in the area.

Member, representing Agatu at the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Sule Audu expressed surprise that whereas, the Agatu people do not share boundaries with the Fulani, yet, herdsmen have continued to attack and kill them. He called for the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the attack on Ebete.

Responding, Benue State Police Commissioner, CP Omololu Bisi represented by ACP Adesina O. E said the Police will leave no stone unturned in getting to the root of the Tuesday attack, adding that all those behind the killings shall be apprehended and prosecuted. He stated that already, full investigation has commenced. He therefore appealed to the people not to resort to self help.

Recounting their ordeal, a survivor, Mr Peter Mohammed, who expressed thanks to Governor Ortom and the local government Council chairman for their prompt response to their distress call, said the herdsmen launched the surprise attack on the sleeping community around 1am on Tuesday , shooting and killing anyone they met. He said 17 people, among them, men, women, and children; one of who is a 2 month old child were killed.
Earlier, the Council chairman, Alhaji Oigocho had briefed the governor on the attack on Ebete, and the suspicious role of the Fulani Ardo from neighbouring Nasarawa State in fueling the crisis. He thanked Governor Ortom for his response to the needs of the Agatu people.

The Oche’Agatu, Chief Godwin Onah who allso thanked the governor for coming to the aid of his people called on the Security agencies to be proactive in dealing with the security situation. He equally called for calm and appealed to his people not to embark on any reprisal attack, adding that vengeance belongs to God.