LAWMAKER BERATES FG OVER LACK OF SOLUTION ON AGATU KILLINGS

• 
  Home
• News

  • Back

  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
• Politics
• Business

  • Back

  • Aviation
  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Maritime
  • Tech
• Entertainment

  • Back

  • Nollywood
  • Comedy
  • Music
  • Fashion
• Sport

  • Back

  • Golf Times
  • NPFL
  • Stars of Yesteryears
  • Hard Tackle
  • Nigeria Players Abroad
  • Federation Watch
  • Basketball Extra
  • Interviews
• Epaper
• Features
• Health
• Education

  • Back

  • Primary
  • Secondary
  • Technical
  • Tertiary
• Art
• Opinion

• 
  

A member, representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Adamu ochepo Entonu has decried the Federal and state government’s neglect of his constituents. 

The lawmaker, who disclosed this today  when the  Executive Director of Global peace and life rescue initiative (GOPRI) a non governmental organization base in jos,  Melvin Ejeh  visited him in Abuja today to commiserate and profer possible solutions on how  to end the incessant attacks on his constituents.

Hon entonu ,  who was in company of some of his aids decried the  massive destruction and incessant killing going in his constituency on a daily basis without any security  protection,  In his words as I speak to you now odugheho village in Agatu local government is under serious attack from this  terrorists and

“The Federal Government has not taken any tangible measure   to safeguard my people; even the security personnel the deployed recently to the  Area are grossly inadequate and this is unacceptable,  the killings and destruction of my people still continued on almost daily  basis,  are we No longer Nigerians? Or what is our sin? 

“The security attention  my constituency  requires  have not been given , even though I appreciate President Buhari  on his attention on the security situation in the North East, I appeal to him to extend such vigour to my constituency as a matter of urgency,    this  unwarranted,  unprovoked,  killing of my people is unacceptable the  lawmaker lamented. Earlier Mr Melvin Ejeh who thank the lawmaker for his efforts so far,  promise to liase with both local and international organization to provide immediate relief materials to the idps,  and profer a possible  lasting solution to the crisis. 

1. E

GENOCIDE, BENUE STATE GOVERNMENTMUST EXONORATE ITSELF NOW

AGATU MASACRE: Idoma people want State Government to exonerate itself

By Yemi Itodo

Reactions have continued to trill the recent destructions of lives and properties of Agatu natives by suspected Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State.

From the responses gathered by our Correspondents in Otukpo who visited some parts of Agatu yesterday, the song on everyone's lips was the aleged complicity of the Ortom led state government in the recent turn of attacks.

Mr. Adakole Onmeje, a native of Obagaji stated categorically that "the new militias are more sophisticated and more coordinated than the traditional herdsmen who were only used to local weapons ".

The use of speed boat and helicopter to supply food items and amunitions also further buttress the point of Mr. Adakole.

A source at Okokolo who pleaded anonymity revealed that "the latest attacks started shortly after Gov. Ortom had a meeting with his Nasarawa state counterpart, Almakura in a closed door session".

The source further claimed that , "the decision of the state government to play a deaf ear to the yearnings of the Agatu people is not unconnected to the interest of the state government in what is happening in Agatu".

Meanwhile, Mr. Melvin Ejeh, Executive Director of Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation commited to rescuing lives and rendering services to humanity, has condemned in totality, the continous attacks on Agatu people and the total neglect by the State and Federal Government.

According to Mr. Ejeh, the long silence of the government is evident enough that there are more to the name 'Fulani Herdsmen'. He argued that the story going round is not good for the state government and there should be need for Gov. Ortom to speak out and also come to the rescue of the people, whom he took oath to protect.

Mr. Ejeh also wants the Member representing Apa/Agatu at the House of Representatives, Adamu Entonu to come out of his comfort zone and issue press statements as well as drawing the attention of his colleagues at the green chambers and the Presidency to the plight of his people.

Our source in Makurdi has also revealed that a closed door meeting was held on Tuesday at the instance of Chief Godwin Onah, the Ad'Agatu where decision was reached on the need for the government to come to the rescue of the people.

In a telephone chat with DayBreak Managing Editor Wednesday morning, tbe Member representing Agatu State Constituency, Hon. Sule Audu condemned the recent attacks on Akwu, Aila and Okokolo communities of Agatu. He also called on President Muhammed Buhari,  Governor Samuel Ortom and the Military and security authorities to as a matter of urgency, come to the rescue of the poor masses in Agatu.

All efforts made by the Editor of DayBreak Times in reaching the Media Aides to Gov. Ortom proved abortive.

Agatu, one of the 5 LGAs in Idoma land that pulled bloc votes for the PDP in Saturday's rerun election, came under severe attacks immediately the election result was announced on Sunday.

The troops came in through the Loko river axis of Nasarawa on life boat in an encounter that saw the death of 200 people on Sunday in Akwu village.

The militias also reinforced and attacked Aila and Okokolo villages on Tuesday, taking over the affected areas while a helicopter was busy suppling more amunitions and food items to the Marauders.

As at the time of filing this report, those villagers who narrowly espaped death are currently taking refuge in neighboring communities while the militias take over Okokolo without any reprisal from the security agents.

S..O. S LETTER TO PRESIDENT MOHAMMED BUHARI ON THE INSURGENCE IN AGATU AND GWER LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF BENUE STATE

By Ed Onmata Emmanuel

Mr. President,

With a heavy heart, I write you this SOS letter. It’s obvious that you are the only person who could stop the ongoing nonsensical killing of Agatu and Tiv people by insurgents who use Fulani herdsmen as cannon folder.

I write this because I know you as an upright man who rode on honesty and rule of law to power. You demonstrated this in your inaugural speech where you assured Nigerians of your impartial leadership by saying, “I am for everybody; I am for nobody.” This means, though a Fulani man birth, you will never permit injustices perpetrated by arsonists posing as your tribesmen against the poor and helpless Nigerians including Tiv and Agatu people in Benue State. As a result, your timely intervention in the perennial killing of these hapless people will further correct the ills.

I am not unaware of the debate on Federal Grazing Reserve clandestinely going on in Nigeria. We are equally aware that those who will be dispossessed of their fertile land are the poor and voiceless ones. This, the entire Agatu people in Agatu Local Government Area and some Tiv people at the riverside of Gwer West Local Government Area, fall squarely in place. But land acquisition by genocide is an atrocity not only against humanity but God. To this end, the world rises up against this kind of condemnable act. As a man of humane characteristic, please rise against this mindless killing, which started a couple of years ago.

It all started during the past administration alongside Boko Haram insurgency. They came in the guise of Fulani herdsmen and attacked some of the villages in Agatu and Gwer West Local Government Areas of Benue State. That time they claimed that their action was a reprisal for cattle rustling. After their first and second successful campaigns, they continued until all the Agatu riverine villages and towns were overthrown due to massive killing and burning down of houses. The whole of Agatu was shocked because these were not the herdsmen that had stayed peacefully with them over the years. Moreover, the insurgents are palpable strangers who were never known to have grazed anywhere in Agatu land.

As I’m writing this SOS, without any cause whatsoever, they have started attacking the central Agatu towns and villages closer to the Council Headquarters. In fact, between Monday, 22/02/2016 and Tuesday 23/02/2016, no fewer than 200 people were murdered in cold blood just in two villages, Okokolo and Akuh Agatu. While Okokolo was overthrown on Monday, Akuh was taken on Tuesday.

Mr. President, the impunity with which they attack, the kind of weapons used and the confidence that no law enforcement agent is capable of fighting them, gives the clear indication that these are not the herdsmen we knew. Their invasions, which usually start in the wee hours of the day always record a massive death of men, women and children. Unfortunately, whenever they are attacking the people, no law enforcement agent come to the rescue even when they are called upon. Frankly speaking, this is casting dust on the sincerity of the state government’s amnesty program as well as the peace talk between the farmers and the insurgents masquerading as herdsmen.

We all know that these fighters are not herdsmen but Boko Haram insurgents who want to forcefully create a caliphate by taking over the entire Agatu Local Government and part of Gwer West since their attempt in the North-east has become a mission impossible. This is totally unacceptable in a civilized age as ours, and it’s against the UN charter, which Nigeria is a member.

Mr. President, it’s obvious that God brought you to deliver Nigeria and Nigerians from any form of oppression. Consequently, He will not be happy if you look on until Agatu and some Tiv people are completely dispossessed of their lands. I stress this, Mr. President because every local and state leaders, as well as security agents, have failed Agatu and Gwer West people. Their eyes are only on you. Please come to their rescue before Agatu local government is wiped out from Nigerian map.

May God bless you as you give hope to the hopeless.

Young Nollywood actor(The Cobweb), Olamide David is dead

David, who played the lead role in Foluke Daramola’s movie, Cobweb, died few hours ago.

Although, the real cause of his sudden death is yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report, Foluke has described his demise as untimely.

SET UP SPECIAL MILITARY TASK FORCE ON BENUE COMMUNAL ATTACKS NOW, NGO URGES PRESIDENT BUHARI.

A non governmental organization known as global peace and life rescue initiative (GOPRI)   has condemn in the strongest terms the renewed barbaric and unwarranted attacks by suspected terrorist  in Benue state. Executive Director of the organization Mr Melvin Ejeh made this statement when he paid a fact finding visit to Okokolo and abugbe village in agatu local government area of the state on Friday 19th he  decried the high level of destruction of life and properties without any form of provocation, and  urges the security agencies to rise up to their  constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties, by always deploying new modus operandi. In his words  Mr Ejeh  who spoke in emotion laden voice while condoling members  of the communities over attacks described as an assault to the National security the spate of on challenge terrorists attacks going on in  the area and the state at large, is agatu local not under Nigeria again? why are they being killed at will? he ask, he called for calm and vigilance and  assured  the communities that efforts of all  stake holders are already on  to permanently put the attack to an end.   While he passionately appeal to President Mohammed  buhari to immediately set up special military task force in benue state that will be saddle with the responsibility of securing all the communities from terrorist attack, before the entire state result to self help,  he further called  on Nema to supply relief materials to the affected communities to alleviate their sufferings.

WE CANNOT SHARE BENUE STATE WITH TERRORIST

Three days ago I was in Buruku local government area to see for myself the level of carnage been perpetrated by this terrorists and blood suckers who walks freely on our soil under the guise of herdsmen and I was told that they repeatedly said the Tiv people must go back to Congo where they migrated from.

History has it that all the tribes that occupy the Niger territory are said to have migrated from one end or the other but today we are here as one Nigeria and as such no individual or group of people can claim to be more Nigerian than the others. All of us are one.

Here I most repeat this, that the Fulani herders we know and have lived with us time immemorial are our friends and brothers, they are here with their families and amazingly they understand as well as speak the Tiv language fluently.

The ones we know nothing about are these terrorists who have occupy our most cherished God given possession, our lands, they bear sophisticated weapons day and night. These terrorists are repugnant to the very fiber of our existence as a law abiding people.

We want the law enforcement agencies and the international community to know that our people are under severe attacks by terrorists, this if not promptly arrested will spell doom for the entire of Nigeria due to the strategic position of Tivland. Indeed we cannot share our land with terrorists, never, not as long as we live.

These terrorists have consistently and comfortably deflowered our girls through rape, murdered the strength of our people, the youths, they suck the bloods of our women and children on daily basis. They drive our people hungry while leaving our economic base in shambles.

How long are we going to continue in silence? Together we can speak against this menace, using all available means of communications. A Tiv man from Mbatiav and the one from Masev shares the same blood, the one from Shitile and Nongov also share the same blood, the one from Ihyarev and Kunav also, all of us are one. Injustice or injury to one is to all.

I want all of us as a people with a common destiny to understand that these terrorists do not ask for political party identity or affiliation before one is murdered which behoves on us all to unite and pay more attention on defending our common identity as Tiv people.

With the last drop of blood in my vain i reject the occupation of terrorists on our land and it is a decision that all of us must take else the essence of our existed is at the verge of extinction.

Through peaceful means we shall continue in this struggle.

Boko Haram Burns Down Nigeria Army Base In Adamawa As Soldiers Flee | Sahara Reporters

Boko Haram Burns Down Nigeria Army Base In Adamawa As Soldiers Flee | Sahara Reporters: A report from northeastern Nigeria says Boko Haram burned down a military base on Sunday night as soldiers fled their attack.

F. G LIED ON THE DEFEAT OF BOKO HARAM. SENATOR

On Saturday, Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai lamented that Boko Haram insurgents are still present in more than 20 Local Governments Areas (LGAs) of Borno State.  Only 3 LGA Are Safe  from boko haram In Borno State. Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai made this disclosure to journalists during a condolence visit to Dalori and Mairi  villages where more than 85 civilians were reported killed last week by Boko Haram. He explained that his visit was not just to sympathize with the communities and distribute relief materials, but assure then that the Federal Government is fully behind the people of Borno State. “These people are in serious pain, they've lost their relations and their means of livelihood have been burnt down by terrorists. "There is an assumption that most of the local governments in Borno are recaptured from the Boko Haram. In reality this is not true in the real sense. “Apart from Maiduguri Metropolis, Kwaya Kusar and Bayo these are the three LGAs that are safe," Senator Garbai stated. These areas, according to the senator, are only safe due to the strong military and police presence which maintains “law and order”. Senator Garbai went on to lament that areas such as Mobbar, Kala Balge, and Abbadam LGAs are 100 percent occupied by the insurgents. In addition, there are several areas that are partially under the thumb of Boko Haram, according to the senator. “I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to the military to intensify their effort in ensuring they increase security around the villages and communities that share borders with Maiduguri city. “People are migrating to Maiduguri en mass as a result fear they may be under attack to tonight or very soon,” Senator Garbai implored.

BOKO HARAM

BOKO HARAM KILLED 5, INJURIED SCORES, SEVEN OTHERS STILL MISSING IN MMUMBE VILLAGE, FEW KILOMETERS AWAY FROM MAIDUGURI TOWN. http://globalpeaceng.blogspot.com/2016/02/boko-haram-killed-5-injuried-scores.html

BOKO HARAM KILLED 5, INJURIED SCORES, SEVEN OTHERS STILL MISSING IN MMUMBE VILLAGE, FEW KILOMETERS AWAY FROM MAIDUGURI TOWN.

At least four women and one other person were confirmed dead with scores injured at the weekend when a group of Boko Haram terrorists, who rode in 10 bicycles from Sambisa forest invaded Mairi Mmumbe village near Dalori District of Konduga local council of Borno State Vice Chairman of the Civilian JTF in charge of Konduga, Mallam Ahmed Tijjani, said yesterday that the insurgents who stormed the village at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday also burnt down houses, leaving hundreds of residents displaced. Our correspondent, who accompanied the senator representing Borno Central, Kaka Bashir Garbai, and other lawmakers who paid a sympathy visit to the areas affected, observed that the entire village was razed. Dalori District, which is South-East and 10kms drive from Maiduguri, suffered the same calamity when a group of armed insurgents invaded the community last Saturday and killed over 150 residents, with scores injured before setting homes in the community ablaze. This is even as the insurgents attacked a group of firewood traders in Jawu village, about eight kilometres from Auno town of Kondiga, west of Maiduguri. According to Modu Mai Ali, a relation to one of the affected victims, the firewood traders numbering about 15 were on their way to purchase wood from the forest for onward delivery to Maiduguri when the insurgents from Sambisa Forest laid an ambush and opened fire, leaving five persons dead. Sources said the fresh attack on Mbube Mairi village involved about 30 insurgents who descended on the villagers from different directions and wreaked havoc without confrontation. Modu Malaram, an Islamic cleric and father of seven in the deserted village said, ““We just finished the night prayers and I was listening to local news on radio when suddenly, some strange men approached our home and started firing in all directions. ““How we managed to escape still remained a mystery to me and my family but I lost my Arabic student who was the only one shot dead by the insurgents while the four other women the community lost were burnt beyond recognition in their huts.”” Another victim, Aisami Makinta remarked that, ““the attack was the second on the village in less than three months and this time it was very devastating ””. Makinta who looked visibly worried said, ““we have nowhere to go now””. Asked if there was any response from security operatives, the residents angrily said, ““no one came to assist us that night and only this morning the military came in a Hilux van challenging us for not calling them on phone””. Adam Musa who couldn’’t conceal his anger queried, ““How can the security operatives say they did not hear sound of gunshots when we are just a few kilometres away from Dalori? ““We are just at the mercy of God and only He can save us.”” Our correspondent who visited the area yesterday afternoon saw most residents of the affected community and the adjoining settlements migrating in droves towards Maiduguri for safety. Senator Garbai condemned the incidents and called on the military to re-strategise in order to adequately secure lives and property ““I am using this opportunity to call on our security operatives to tighten up their belts, or else the whole people of the state will be consumed by these miscreants,”” Garbai lamented. Similarly, a relative of one of the affected victims of the firewood traders around Auno Forest attack, Mallam Ali Dunoma said, ““Usually we get our firewood for commercial purposes from the forest for storage at Ndollori, though we live in nearby Sajeri, around Ajilari Cross area. So, on Monday morning my cousin, Abba, informed me of his plan to join other members of the firewood trade to Jawu and I wished them luck. ““Unfortunately, we were at the railway track around 9 in the morning when they went and I even exchanged banters with some of them. I could count about 15 of them. At about 3 p.m., news reached us that the firewood traders were attacked and I rushed home, only to be told that eight among them escaped while, about seven others including my cousin are still missing.””

I WAS KIDNAPPED FOR REFUSING TO JOIN CULT_REV FATHER BERNARD ADEBAYO. Culled from vanguard

Bernard Jenfa Adedayo was one of the priests ordained by the Bishop of Nnewi, Rev. Hillary Okeke, at the Saint Georges’ Catholic Church, Orifite, Anambra State, after a rigorous training that lasted almost 17 years. That day climaxed his childhood ambition of becoming a servant in God’s vineyard. He was posted to the Catholic Church Assumption, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State shortly after the ordination.  Bernard Jenfa Adedayo The enthusiasm to carry the gospel beyond the dry lands of Ijebu-Ode pre-occupied his young mind. And so, from village to village, he went like a humble servant, proclaiming the good news. However, this excitement was short-lived when the young priest got his first baptism of fire as some alleged members of a renowned cult group kidnapped him. This firebrand Catholic priest eventually became a guest to kidnappers in a forest that was home to reptiles and carnivorous animals. ‘How I was abducted’ Sometimes, Adedayo was assigned to conduct mass outside his base. One day, in the course of such assignment, a group of persons walked up to him. “They said to me: ‘ Father, we would want you to join our group’ . I asked them which group, as I only knew of the Association of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint Anthony of Padua, Legion of Mary, and the Charismatic Renewal of Nigeria. But they said theirs was none of these and walked away,” he narrated. “After some time, another group accosted me. But, this time, they introduced themselves as members of a secret cult. They said: ‘ We want to work with you and, as time progresses, we would make you one of our patrons.’ My response to their request was polite but firm. I asked them what light had got to do with darkness, and told them that we had nothing in common, so we could not work together. That reply marked the beginning of a battle that almost took my life. They threatened to kill me. Though they almost succeeded, God delivered me from their hands. The reason for their failure was obvious because my life is not in the hands of men but in the hands God.” On the day he was abducted, the reverend father was rounding off a mass in a nearby village when five hefty men, armed with assault rifles, approached him, bundled him into a vehicle and zoomed off. “All entreaties to allow me install the Blessed Sacrament fell on deaf ears. Again, I made on appeal to them to allow me pack some of my personal effects all to no avail. Perhaps they thought that any attempt to give me a breathing space might lead to my escape. And so, they zoomed off,” the priest stated. “We eventually got to an uncompleted building in a forest. For one long silent night, I was with them in a place I didn’t know. After a while, one of them gave me a clue as to why I was kidnapped when he said, ‘ Father, you have proved to be very stubborn and I don’t know why.’ All through the night, I was meditating and it was in the middle of this that one of them walked up to me and said, ‘ Father, say your last prayer because you are going to die now. “Well, I knelt down with my eyes closed and called on the name of the God to let His will be done. Another member of the gang asked: ‘ But what did this man do to warrant his death?’ Yet another gang member responded: ‘ Our business is not to debate his destiny but to kill him and nothing more.’ The argument went on and on. They started showing their might over one another. Walk to freedom “ When eventually I opened my eyes after my prayers, there was nobody in the house except me. Just then, the Lord ministered unto me: ‘ What are you waiting for? Stand up and go!’ I stood up, left the room and trekked a long distance before I could find my bearing. It was indeed a miraculous experience. The Lord took me from their hands. I was able to locate my way from the forest without molestation from animals or evil-minded human beings.” After that horrifying experience, the Superior General of the Vincentian Order in Nigeria thought it expedient to re-assign Adedayo to another parish in Enugu Diocese. He was there for almost two years before he was deployed to a parish in Lagos. Adedayo, who recently clocked five years in priesthood, said there is always a challenge in every human endeavour, adding that priesthood is not an exception. “When Christ gave us his life,” said the priest, “he did not eradicate all the troubles but rather gave us the courage to confront these obstacles.” An author, he recently launched a book, entitled, “His Love Is Grace’, while working on other projects designed to help propagate the faith. “We trust God for so many things. We have some projects in mind and I know God will help us to actualize them,” he said. The 160-page book is about man’s salvation based on God’s gratuitous gift of grace. Adedayo expressed optimism that the book will boost the faith of Christians.