ATTAH EDE, MAKURDI
Large numbers of people predominantly youths from Ugbokpo, headquarters of Apa local government area of Benue State on Friday, barricaded the Otukpo -Oweto- Abuja federal highway to protest the incessant killings of their people by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The protest was said to have been triggered by the latest killings of over 50 people in less than two days by the suspected marauders within Benue South senatorial district, particularly in Apa and Otukpo LGAs of the state.
It will be recalled that on Monday, three people were reportedly killed at Igbobi in Apa LGA while 49 people were murdered on Tuesday and Wednesday by herdsmen at neighbouring Umogidi communityy in Otukpo LGA.
The youths in large numbers stormed the highway as early as 8 to 9am today being good Friday and mounted roadblocks on the federal highway.
Commuters were stranded for over four hours while some of the protesters, who spoke to our correspondent, said they would not open the roadblock until President Muhammadu Buhari or Governor Samuel Ortom come to address them and proffer solution to end the killings.
The Network gathered that commuters coming from the southern part of the country and heading towards Abuja and those coming from Abuja and heading to Otukpo and southern parts of the country were stranded for hours.
Chairman of Apa LGA, Patricial Amali said that the protest which was triggered by killings in the area was peaceful until hoodlums later hijacked it.
Mrs Amali said that the prompt intervention of security operatives forestall break down of law and order.
“Yes, there was a protest by some youths in Ugbokpo this morning because of the killings in our area. Initially, the protest was peaceful but along the line, things changed and this made me to involve policemen and soldiers who later dispersed them,” the Chairman said.
GOV ORTOM CALLS FOR CALM, VIGILANCE AS
Meanwhile, following the unwarranted and surprised killing of 47 mourners at Umogidi in Enterkpa ward of Otukpo local government area of the State by suspected herdsmen, Governor Samuel Ortom has called for calm, just as he appealed to the people to be vigilant to ward off such attacks in future.
He spoke today at Adoka Centre, where those displaced from the attack are taking refuge, and also at Umogidi, the scene of the killings, where he toured the deserted community, and was shown fresh graves of those killed by the herdsmen.
Governor Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu lamented the unending killing of Benue people by the Fulani herdsmen militia and the inability of security agencies to rein in the armed herdsmen.
While appealing for calm and restraint, Governor Ortom said the people should be security conscious and remain ever vigilant to avoid being killed like chickens.
Chairman of Otukpo local Government Council, and an indigene of Umogidi, Hon. Bako Ejeh, whose biological son, brother-in-law, and nephew were killed by the herdsmen, told Governor Ortom that the Wednesday killings took place after they had buried 3 of their people, who were killed a day earlier by the terrorist herdsmen.
He disclosed that they had no problems with the herdsmen, and wondered why they decided to attack his people in such a gruesome manner.
He thanked Governor Ortom and Engr. Abounu for responding immediately to their distress calls. He, however, called on the security agencies to increase their presence in the area to check the menace of the herdsmen.
One of the high points of the visit to Umogidi was the discovery of a 45-year housewife, Ene Ujah, who was believed to have been killed with others, having not been seen for 4 days.
The highly emaciated Ene Ujah was found unconscious in one of the deserted rooms, frozen by fear, and unable to walk. She was brought out and resuscitated to the delight of the deputy governor, her relations, and the people around.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the visit by
Col. Paul Hemba (rtd), Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Lt. Col. Obishere, who represented the Brigade Commander, 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi. Also, there were the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abel Adah Ikwom, and the member, Adoka/Ugboju State Constituency, Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Audu.
