Benue lawmaker, Ojotu Ojema under fire over herbicide donations after herdsmen killings

Benue lawmaker, oj Ojema, is facing growing criticism after donating herbicides to the Edikwu-Ankpali community shortly after the killing of 11 residents by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The gesture, intended as support, has instead stirred outrage among residents and activists who argue that “safety must come before agricultural support in a time of crisis.”

Ojema, who represents the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on National Inland Waterways Authority, had visited the Apa Traditional Council to express condolences over the deadly attack.

However, the donation of farm chemicals in the midst of widespread fear and mourning has been described by many as poorly timed and insensitive.

Comrade Paul G. Edoh Jr., a leading social rights activist in the constituency, described the donation as “meaningless and out of place,” questioning its relevance in a community where survival is the immediate concern.

“Productive farming cannot thrive in an environment plagued by fear and violence,” he said, stressing that residents of Edikwu cannot safely return to their farms under the current conditions.

Stating more effective responses by other lawmakers, Edoh Jr. praised Honourable Martins Esin of Akwa Ibom State, who “successfully established a security committee equipped with patrol vehicles and surveillance technologies.” He urged Ojema and others in similar positions to consider more strategic and security-focused initiatives.

“Empowering local government chairmen to form security committees would have been a much more strategic and relevant initiative for safeguarding lives and livelihoods,” Edoh Jr. emphasized.

As the affected community struggles to cope with the tragedy, demands for tangible security solutions are intensifying. While messages of sympathy are appreciated, activists insist they must be accompanied by “actionable strategies that address the immediate needs of a distressed population.”

“Ojema’s latest move serves as a reminder that addressing insecurity must take precedence over symbolic gestures,” Edoh Jr. concluded. “The people of Apa deserve more than hollow promises; they need real solutions to ensure their safety, allowing them to rebuild their lives and return to their farms.”