8th April, 2023
The Apa/Agatu Progressives Forum has narrated how gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen killed over 70 people in Ikobi, Atakpa, Akpete, Edikwu, Oiji, Ijaha, Odugbo and Ugbobi villages of Benue State within one week.
In Ugobi, the chief of the community, Chief Elaigwu Adanu was also beheaded by the rampaging gunmen.
The villages under attack by the armed herdsmen are in Apa, Agatu and Otupko communities and are mostly inhabited by Idoma people of Benue state.
The national president of Apa/Agatu Progressives Forum, Comrade Samuel Ebo Adikwu told journalists on Friday that the killings had led to desertion of the affected communities.
Comrade Adikwu who addressed journalists in Ugbopko, headquarters of Apa local government, however said, the total number of people killed can only be known at the end of the ongoing search and rescue mission.
He noted that the armed herdsmen extended their killing spree to Omogidi, Entepka and other villages of Otupko local government where it was reported that over 50 persons were killed on Thursday.
He also called on the state and federal governments and the international community to come to the aid of the Idoma nation, noting that the situation may lead to famine in the areas as most of the people affected are farmers.
“This is more worrisome considering the fact that the populace of these affected communities are 100 percent farmers and being displaced from their farming activities and ancestral homes will certainly subject them to famine, devastation and penury.”
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently direct security presence in addition to setting up a joint civilian/military operation and forward operation base in the affected areas.
In addition, Comrade Adikwu asked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, non-governmental organisations and other philanthropists to urgently come to the aid of the affected communities.