A group known as Agbaduma Elite Forum in Agatu Local Goverment Area of Benue State has appealed to the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, to intervene in the communal clashes ravaging some communities in the council area.
In a statement issued and made available to newsmen by the chairman of Agbaduma Elite Forum, Abel Abu, in Makurdi on Saturday, the community who expressed shame at frequent communal clashes within the council area called for a ceasefire.
Abu said it sounded funny after suffering from herdsmen, the people of Agatu would turn around to attack themselves.
He therefore called on the paramount ruler of Idoma land, His Royal Majesty, Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji, the Ochidoma, Senator representing the senatorial district, Abba Moro and other stakeholders in the state to call leaders in all the communities within the local government to close ranks.
Abu stated that the Agatu people have suffered for so long at the hands of the herders and at the same time causing untold hardship among all the communities in the local government.
He regretted that communal clashes which have continued to ravage the local government need to be nailed in the bud.
“We call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Alia, the Och’Idoma, Agabaidu HRM Dr Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Distinguished Senator Dr Abba Moro, the House of Representatives Member Representing Apa Agatu Federal Constituency Pst Comr Ojotu Ojema FESMI, Member Representing Agatu State Constituency, Rt Hon Godwin Abu Edoh, to call those causing trouble to order so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.
“Agatu people can’t be suffering attacks from Fulani herdsmen and still going through traumatic experiences as a result of communal clashes, clashes that can be put to an end immediately.”
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