Rep Ottah Agbo visits Ndobasi, other Izzi communities where over 130 people were killed by Fulani militia

The Honourable Member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo broke down in tears on Saturday, as he visited Ndobasi ànd other Izzi Communities in both Ekile and Ijigban wards of Ado LGA of Benue State, where over 130 persons were killed in an attack by Fulani militia the previous week.

The Izzi communities that came under Fulani attacks have been peaceful and have the Ndobasi market which is the biggest market in the entire Ado LGA of Benue State.

The peace and calm in the communities were however disrupted when some gunmen identified as Fulani militia attacked the communities in what is believed to be a reprisal over the killing of one Alhaji Isah Musa, a Fulani herder in Ataloga village, on his way back from the Ndobasi market in February.

The Izzi communities had thought the matter had been laid to rest after three of the four men suspected to have been behind the killing of Alhaji Musa were apprehended by members of the community and handed over to the police and have since been been prosecuted and convicted, only for the gunmen to attack the community about four months after the incident.

Over 90 persons were killed in the night of the attack and over 40 later died as a result of various degrees of injuries sustained during the attack while many are still in the hospitals receiving treatment in Abakiliki.

The attackers torched many shops at the popular Ndobasi market and several houses within the vicinity leaving behind sorrow, tears and blood.
Anger and bitterness was very much on the faces of the people when the Honourable Member visited the community as many could not hold back tears and the agitated youths were seen cursing and vowing to defend their people.
Dr. Ottah Agbo, while trying to calm the Izzi people, appealed for restraint explaining that a tit-for-tat approach to the issue will only worsen the already alarming insecurity in the area.

While sympathising with those who have lost close relations in the attack, the Lawmaker condemned the attack, describing it as inhuman and ungodly, wondering how a matter that has been resolved with the arrest and prosecution of those behind the February killing of Alhaji Musa, would lead to such wanton killings and destruction.

The Lawmaker called on the people to put in place security arrangements to defend themselves against further attacks, saying it was their legitimate right to do so.

The Feed Back Lawmaker, explained that Benue State Government has since 2000, signed into law, a bill establishing Vigilante Guard and praised the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom for his political will to implement the law. The law allows for people to carry legitimate weapons to defend themselves.

Dr. Ottah Agbo, blamed the worsening insecurity in the country to what he described as leadership problem, saying until the current federal leadership was ready to tackle insecurity without compromise and sentiment, the existential threats to lives and property in the country will linger.

“Year in, year out, we at the National Assembly approve trillions of naira for actionable intelligence gathering, as well as purchase of weapons to fight insecurity, yet innocent Nigerians are being slaughtered on a daily basis by gunmen,” the Lawmaker averred!

Dr. Ottah Agbo agreed with Gen. TY Danjuma (rtd) that there are indications that some security agents are colluding
with the gunmen to perpetuate such attacks on communities and on innocent Nigerians and stressed that in such a situation, it is only right for the people to defend themselves.

The Lawmaker who doubles as Chairman of Narcotic Drugs Committee as well as, the Spokesman of the Minority Caucus, promised to draw the attention of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to the humanitarian crisis in the area with a view to getting assistance from the government to cushion the effect of the attack. He also made a cash donation to assist with hospital bills and other expenses.

But as the Lawmaker went round to asses the level of destruction, he broke down and wept seeing the magnitude of the carnage that the people had to console him.

One of the leaders of the Ndobasi Community, Eze Augustine Nwego in response thanked the Honourable Member for the visit, saying for him to have taken the pains to make the one hour journey to Ndobasi on a motorcycle, shows that he cares for the people.

The Eze emphasized the magnitude of loss suffered during the attack saying many families have either lost loved ones or have seen their property and businesses go up in flames.

Nwego called on the Benue State Government to provide social amenities like motorable road to Ndobasi so they can have a sense of belonging.
He said ,”What has happened has happened, we are calling on our people to be patient and have faith in God,” adding that he invasion on Izzi Communities was by Fulani gunmen and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call his kinsmen to order!

Reverend Father Clement Ejeh of St. Mary Catholic Church, Ndobasi, commended Dr. Ottah Agbo for the visit as he said this is the first time any prominent political leader visited the community since the attack.
He cautioned those who are using the incident to cause further hardship to the people to desist from doing so saying the times calls for sober reflection and support as the Honourable Member had done.

The District Head of Ijigban, Chief Christopher Onumah in his remarks, conveyed the sympathy of the Och’Idoma to the people and prayed that it would be the last.
He urged the people of Ndobasi and all Izzi people to see themselves as his people and work with him so that together they can plan for the development of their communities. He said all the communities attacked are in Ijigban District in Ado LGA and not Ebonyi State.

“Anytime I call for a meeting you should try and come so that we can work together for the good of our people. Because if I don’t know what is happening to you there’s little or nothing I can do about it, there is no way I can report your plight to Benue State Government,” he said.
The Honourable Member had earlier visited IDP camps at Igumale, Apa- Ogbozu, Ulayi and Ijigban where he also made cash donations of various amounts for the upkeep of the displaced persons.

Dignitaries who accompanied the Lawmaker included the 3rd Class Chief of Igumale and Utonkon , Dr. Julius Iguve, Clan Head of Ai-Ajiboh in Igumale, Chief Attah Obande, Ijigban Community Leader, Hon. Emmanuel Ogaba, Benue State BSIEC Commissioner, Hon. Sunday Agbaji, SSA to Governor Ortom, Mike Ojah, his counterpart, Hon. Emmanuel Onazi, former Ado LGC Chairman, Hon Abel Onazi, Ado LGC Supervisory Councillor, Hon. Attah Edeh, the secretary of PDP in Ado, former Ado PDP Chairman, Hon Augustine Ogbu, and many others.

Report by Andrew Agbese