Get ready for self-defense against attackers – Abba Moro tells Idoma youths

By John Ikwulono | February 19, 2024

The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Moro PhD on Monday urged Apa/Agatu youths to be vigilant and prepared to defend their land against external aggressors, assuring them of his support and that of other leaders.

Senator Moro gave this charge on Monday at Ugbokpo in Apa LGA where he interfaced with aggrieved youths who had earlier protested against the killings in Apa/Agatu by blocking the Otukpo-Owote-Abuja Federal Road last week Monday. Senator Moro had intervened and promised to return back for an interface with them, a promise he fufilled by meeting with the youths today.

The Senator said himself and other leaders would continue to speak against the senseless killings of his people by herders, which has brought untold hardship on them, adding that the attackers had no monopoly of violence. He urged the youths to avoid blocking of federal roads and allow them to do what they have started doing already through steady interactions with security agents and other authorities, in addition to media outings like the recent press briefing by the Benue State National Assembly Caucus in Abuja.

Senator Moro appealed to all the critical stakeholders not to politicize the killings but come together, irrespective of party affiliation, to face the menace headlong with a view to nipping it in the bud. He said he would not rest on his oars untill his constituents begin to sleep with their eyes closed and move about freely without fear of attack.

In their separate speeches, the House of Representatives Member Representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Pst. Ojotu Ojema; Member representing Apa State Constituency, Rt. Hon Abu Umoru; Commissioner for Power and Transport, Barr Omale Omale; Council Chairman of Apa LGA, Hon. Ochayi Aledu, represented by his Council Secretary, Agida Baba, all pledged their unalloyed supports for the Senator in the fight against the invaders. They assured that they would all join hands together to fight this battle and said they would overcome and have their people returned to their ancestral homes to live their normal lives.

They thanked the Senator for all his efforts and promised to always work with him to curb the insecurity plaguing their land.

The President, Apa/Agatu strong voice, Comrade Vincent Peter thanked the Senator for coming to their rescue at their trying moments. He said they would continue to listen to him and other leaders.

His words,
“The protests was not targeted at any leader, rather it was done to draw the attention of government to our plights. We commend your fatherly love and show of concern for us. May God continue to keep and preserve you”, he said

It will be recalled that herdsmen recently attacked some communities in Apa/Agatu killing many persons and displacing many others. The killing angered the youths forcing them to block the federal road, which was unblocked only after Senator Moro’s intervention.