Ngbo killings: Agila people have been vindicated – James Oche

James Oche, the Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State has said the corroborated testimony of Ngbo victims, the Chief Security Officer of the Ngbo community, the Ebonyi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the latest report from Vanguard newspaper has substantially cleared the air and vindicated the people of Agila as being responsible for the Monday attack on Ngbo communities of Ohaukwu Local Government of Benue State.

It may be recalled that, in the wake of the attack which led to loss of lives and property, statements in the media credited to the Ebonyi State Government were to the effect that, the attack on Ngbo communities of Ebonyi was from the Agila people of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

However, later revelations from the victims who were eye witnesses and the evidence received from phone calls made to the phone lines of the victims who lost their lives in the course of the attack revealed that Fulani herders were responsible.

Similarly, in a media chat with the Chief Security Officer of the Ngbo People, Mr Leonard Igwe, he authoritatively stated that, Fulani herders were responsible for the attack on his people. Mr. Oche has said all these have substantiated the innocence of the people of Agila.

Mr. Oche who spoke today in Igumale lamented that the allegation of the Ebonyi State Government had incited panic among the Agila people as many were already relocating from Agila land and further said it is incumbent on the Ebonyi State Government to now set the records straight.

In another development, the Ebonyi State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned Ebonyi State Government hasty conclusion and exoneration of Fulani herdsmen on the attack on Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo people of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and outright accusation of Agila people of Benue State without proper investigation.

Mr. Oche has saluted Vanguard news for undertaking investigative journalism on the issue and updating their report to reflect the true position of events. He further stressed his people’s commitment to embracing peace for the development of the border communities.