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.
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