From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A Benue group under the auspices of Agbaduma Elite Forum, in Agatu local government area of Benue State has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to caution those causing trouble in Agatu communities to desist from such and allow peace to reign.
The group has also urged the federal and state governments to intervene in the communal clashes and killings ravaging Agatu communities to enable the people sleep with their eyes closed.
The chairman of Agbaduma Elite Forum, Mr. Abel Abu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi at the weekend, expressed worry at the frequent communal clashes within the area and urged all involved to sheath their sword.
Abu expressed regret that the same people who are groaning under herdsmen attack would now turn around to be attacking and killing themselves, saying it was an error that must be corrected.
He appealed to the paramount ruler of Idoma land, the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Ogabaidu, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo, Senator representing the senatorial district, Abba Moro and other stakeholders in the state to call leaders in all the communities within Agatu local government area to close ranks and ensure that the people live in peace.
“Agbaduma Community worldwide, wish to draw the attention of the general public and the entire world to the ongoing killings and other attacks on selected communities in Agatu, being perpetrated by known persons.
“This lingering crisis, if not properly checked, can bring entire Agatu down and in future, our children may not have a place to call their homes.
“Let it be clear that, Agbaduma, Adogoji and Achega are the three major clans who own Agatu and are first settlers in Agatu according to history. Agbaduma shares boundary with Obagaji the Agatu LGA headquarters and the home town of entire Adogoji.
“By implications, all the villages from Akwu, Abugbe, Ocholonya, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Ogbaulu, Adagbo, Aila, Omikwidi, Edeje, Egba, Olochologba, Ekaida are all under Agbaduma land which Agbaduma gave them to settle down freely.
“Agbaduma community has no plan whatsoever to ask the said communities to leave, neither is Agbaduma fighting over anything with any of the communities living on Agbaduma land,” they said.
Agbaduma group noted that as law abiding people and lovers of peace, if the trouble makers are allowed to cause more harms in Agatu without questioning, they may destroy the entire Agatu.
They, however, warned that any further attacks on their communities again shall be resisted.
“Agatu people can’t be suffering attacks from herdsmen and still be going through traumatic experiences as a result of communal clashes that can be put to an end immediately.”