21st January, 2024
Rep. Ojotu Ojema, Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency has commiserated with families of military personnel who lost their lives in fresh attacks in the Okokolo Community in Benue.
This is contained in a statement signed by Olikita Ekani, Media Aide to Ojema in Abuja on Sunday.
Suspected herdsmen attacked Okokolo Community in Agatu local government area in the late hours of Thursday, Jan. 18.
The attack resulted in the death of four military personnel with one wounded.
Ojema, who condemned the attack, said the military officers were martyred for trying to defend their fatherland.
He expressed sadness and condemnation over the renewed onslaught on the innocent people of Agatu, describing it as another reminder of the calamities that befell the people in the past.
He urged the Federal Government to nip the resurgent attacks in the bud to prevent further escalation to other communities in Agatu and the neighbouring Apa local government area.
Ojema assured his constituents that he is working relentlessly, in collaboration with traditional, religious, and political leaders and relevant security agencies to bring lasting solutions to the lingering insecurity in the area.
He urged the people to be security conscious and report any suspicious movement to security agencies, urging them not to take the law into their hands.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the troops of Sector 6, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) successfully repelled the attack by bandits on Okokolo community.
The OPWS Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, told newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday, that the officers averted the sacking of the community by the suspected bandits at a huge cost.
Igbinomwanhia said during the operation, the troops lost three officers; two soldiers and one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel while two other soldiers who sustained injuries were rushed to the Air Force Hospital for treatment.
NAN