Terrorists fleeing US strikes trooping into my domain, Benue LG chairman raises alarm

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council in Benue State, Ambassador James Melvin Ejeh, on Friday raised an alarm over the infiltration of fleeing terrorists from Sokoto State into his locality.

Daily Trust reports that US in conjunction with Nigerian forces bombed some locations where terrorists were reportedly plotting attacks in Sokoto State in December.

After that incident, there have been reports of terrorists escaping to nearby states.

Ejeh in a statement made available to Daily Trust in Makurdi, the state capital, alerted the public on the worsening security situation in Agatu communities following what he described as recent developments in parts of Benue.

He said, “Agatu Local Government Area is presently experiencing a renewed wave of violent attacks, which we firmly believe is a fallout of recent military airstrikes in the Sokoko axis.

“These armed elements, fleeing from neighbouring areas, have reportedly infiltrated Agatu communities and unleashed unprecedented terror on innocent and defenceless residents.

“These attacks have resulted in the brutal killing of our people, widespread injuries, reported cases of rape, the destruction of homes and farmlands, and the displacement of hundreds of residents who are now living in fear and uncertainty.”

Ejeh who doubles as state’s deputy chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), expressed worry that the situation had created humanitarian and security crisis that demands immediate attention.

He condemned the terrorists acts and decry the continued bloodshed in Agatu land, saying his people were being hunted on their ancestral land without provocation.

“In view of the persistent violations and escalating violence, I hereby announce the immediate revocation of the 2017 agreement that granted herdsmen access to Adepati Island for grazing.

“That agreement, entered into by the then administration of Agatu Local Government Council, was never carried out in good faith. It was done under the guise of promoting peaceful coexistence, but at the expense of the Agatu people.

“The negative consequences of that action have been enormous. Consequently, I hereby declare the agreement null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

“Furthermore, all armed herders are hereby ordered to vacate Agatu land with immediate effect. Let it be clearly stated that no portion of the Agatu land belongs to herders under any guise,” he posited.

Ejeh maintained that Agatu remain an agrarian society, and as such farmlands must be protected to guarantee food security and the livelihoods of our people.

The chairman therefore called on the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to urgently deploy a reinforced military and police presence in Agatu LGA, noting that the current security arrangement had been grossly inadequate to stem the tide of the attacks.

He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia, for his efforts and commitment to restoring peace and security across the state while also applauding the Commander and troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the Police and other security agencies for the massive kinetic operations deployed across the general area to rid the council and its environs of criminality.

“Security agencies have already arrested some relevant suspects and are currently investigating them. No individual found aiding or abetting insecurity in Agatu will be shielded or granted undue leniency.

“The position of the Agatu people is unequivocal: at this time, no herder is welcome on Agatu land. Any future engagement, if considered, will occur only after extensive consultation with the Agatu Traditional Council and other critical stakeholders, and will be conducted strictly through lawful and official channels,” Ejeh maintained.

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