Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly invaded parts of Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state destroying farmlands and displacing thousands of persons.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Michael Inalegwu whose elder brother was recently murdered by the marauders, made the disclosure Tuesday when the new Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Dr John Odogbo Elaigwu led other traditional rulers and stakeholders from Agatu LGA on a thank-you visit to Governor Samuel Ortom in Makurdi.
According to the Commissioner, the armed herders invaded Agatu with their cattle in their numbers chasing the locals from their homes.
He said, “right from Egba to Odugbeho and Okokolo communities the people have deserted their homes and farms because the armed Fulani herders have once again invaded these communities in their thousands.
“As at yesterday, nobody could go to the farm. The people left their farm produce, their yam, genuine corn, seedlings at the mercy of the Fulani people and their cattle.
“Though there are soldiers and security personnel in Agatu who are prepared to move into the besieged communities, the villages are not easily accessible and the security personnel are also not enough.”
Mr Inalegwu called for the opening up of more roads in the area to enable soldiers and other security personnel easy access to maintain law and order in the communities.
Speaking, the Och’Idoma, HRM, Dr. John Elaigwu, urged all Idoma sons and daughters to put their differences behind and work for the development of Idoma land.
The Och’Idoma who recalled his humble beginning said “I prayed that God should use me to unite Idoma people. I urge all Idoma sons and daughters to come together, put their differences behind and work together because this is a new dawn and I believe the Almighty God is for us,” he said.
The state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sir John Ngbede, who also hails from Agatu urged all the stakeholders who accompanied the Och’Idoma to ensure that “every vote in the 2023 general elections is for the PDP.”
Receiving the delegation, Governor Ortom expressed optimism that the new Och’Idoma would transform Idoma land as he and the Tor Tiv would work together to ensure unity and peace in the state.
He said: “the new traditional rulers understand the language of their tradition, the language of pastors and the language of academicians.
“My desire is to have a new Benue where peace and development will be the order of the day,” the Governor stressed.
He said the enthronement of the new Och’Idoma could not be reversed because his election followed due process and was backed up by law.
“We cannot stop those who went to court from doing so, they are aggrieved and are seeking clarification. There is tradition but the law is superior to tradition,” Ortom said.
