Citizens of Idoma Land in Benue State, yesterday, decried the state of insecurity in the area, saying in spite of promise by the Federal Government to address wanton destruction of lives and properties by herdsmen, they were still occupying about four villages in Agatu land.
The citizens operating on the aegis of One Idoma Initiative, warned that if nothing was done by the federal government to address the situation, the people might be forced to defend themselves.
The Leader of the group, Paul Edeh, who stated this at the Agatu Peace Concert organised in Abuja, to preach peace and raise funds towards the rebuilding of Agatu Land said: “The reason for the concert is to bring to the fore as we have done in the past few months since the Agatu massacre to keep it on the burner so that what is required by government and individuals are done . I can confirm to you that Fulani herdsmen are still occupying some villages that were originally for the Agatu people, particularly on the Nassarawa State axis.”
Also speaking, another leader of the group, Mr. Moses Paul said it was unfortunate that it took the state governor almost seven weeks after the carnage to visit Agatu.
According to him: “The killings have not even abated yet, they have curtailed it. But there are villages in Agatu, about four villages that have been taken over completely by Fulani herdsmen. Until the people can go back and farm, until restoration is done, government has not done anything.
“In less than 24 hours when the Enugu carnage happened, which was less than 10 percent of what happened in Agatu, the Governor of the state was there and even the Inspector General of Polce, IGP, that is what I called pro-activeness.”
Paul said Abuja was chosen as the venue of the concert because the people that would make a difference in Agatu would not go to Agatu, stressing; “even the IGP has never been to Agatu, he only stopped in Makurdi.
So, we are doing it in Abuja because the President lives in Abuja, the IGP lives in Abuja, all the people that can do what they need to do, live in Abuja.
