April 12, (THEWILL) – The Apa Local Government Development Association (ALGDA) in Benue State has accused the military of looking the other way as Fulani herdsmen allegedly killed 89 people during the invasion of 31 communities in the last three months.
Chairman of the association, Barr. Eche Akpoko, who led others to a news conference held at Correspondents Chapel Secretariat in Makurdi, on Wednesday, noted that Apa people and Idoma land have been under siege by the renewed Fulani attacks.
He listed some of the communities attacked by Fulani herdsmen during which many were killed to include Oiji-Jos, Oiji-Oshodi, Oiji-High level and Oiji-New Jerusalem, among others.
“The deceased victims of the attacks suffered carnage in the most dastard, gruesome and inhuman manner. In spite of these barrages of attacks on innocent and defenceless People, the Federal Government of Nigeria failed to give it the desired attention that will yield a long-lasting solution to this lawlessness.
“The trigger-happy marauders are usually shielded and never brought to book by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
While debunking the narratives making the rounds in some quarters that the attacks on the people of Apa are as a result of chieftaincy and land dispute, Barr. Akpoko said such a claim is merely speculative, spurious and baseless as it’s intended to divert public attention from the real issues on ground.
“We maintain that the rationale for these unprovoked attacks on Apa Local Government People is a clear case of Fulani invasions and forceful occupation of our land,” he averred
The Association, therefore, called on Fulani elites and all concerned to educate and sensitise their kinsmen to embrace modern techniques of animal rearing and show respect for the sanctity of lives. It also implores the Federal Government to deploy law enforcement agents to the flashpoints to defend and protect Apa indigenes.
The Association also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide relief materials to the people affected by the attacks.
It warned that in an event of the government’s failure to protect lives and properties as its primary duties, the people of Apa may be compelled to activate their rights of self-defence.
PHOTO CAPTION
Barr. Akpoko addressing journalists at the media briefing
