David Algbashal: James Oche condemns killing of Benue-born naval officer in Ebonyi, sues for compensation

Immediate past Caretaker Chairman for Ado Local Government, James Oche has described as tragic, callous and unpardonable, the murder and beheading of a Naval Officer of Tiv extraction of Benue State, David Algbashal by members of the Ngbo Community of Ebonyi State couple of weeks ago when he was mistaken to be a member of Agila Community of Ado Local Government.

The tragedy was unraveled by the Nigerian Navy last Friday after painstakingly tracing the whereabouts of their colleague who had traveled home but unfortunately did not reach home and did not return. This prompted the tracking of his GPRS to the community where investigations led to the exhuming of his beheaded body.

Further revelations indicate that his head was taken by some of the men who murdered him for ritual purpose and 11 of them were arrested in a shrine in Delta State in the course of their ritualistic engagements.

The crisis between the border communities in Ohaukwu local government of Ebonyi State particularly the Ngbo people and the people of Agila in Ado local government of Benue State has lingered for decades and has remained largely incessant inspire efforts to put same to rest.

James Oche has decried that, the Ngbo people are callous and troublesome and responsible for the deaths of many Agila people whom they took away and killed. He further lamented that killing a Naval Officer was the height of it and called on security agencies to raid the community and make possible arrest of suspects of crime. He said even the corpse of the officer could only be recovered because of his status and the determination of his colleagues and said it has not been the case with Agila people when abducted and killed by Ngbo people.

Oche as a matter of urgency has called on the Government to compensate the family of the deceased officer and also consider the people of Agila for similar compensation having also suffered in the hands of the vicious Ngbo people. This compensation will go a long way to sooth the feelings of the enormous harm caused the Agila people.

Oche stressed that, for everlasting peace to reign within the region, the government should hasten the demarcation of the border between the communities, open up a link truck A road around the area and also site a Military Barrack in between the communities

The Ngbo people from investigation are highly pretentious and would perpetuate crime only to turn around and cry the victim in order to earn public sympathy and claim innocence. The unfortunate killing of the Naval officer and many others have exposed the heinous and callous lifestyle of the Ngbo people and government must act fast to kill the rebellious spirit they posses.