From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen have attack Adija community in Apa Local Governments Area, (LGA) and killed innocent villagers.
Our correspondent gathered that the incident took place on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
The source who didn’t want to be named for fear of victimization, said about five persons where killed in the attack.
Speaking to newsmen on phone in Makurdi on Tuesday, Chairman, Apa Development Association, (ADA), Barr. Eche Akpoko, confirmed the attack.
He said “Yes, it is true. I can confirm it authoritatively and as I speak, three dead bodies have been found so far.
“I describe this as a routine attack by the herders. They attacked the community and five persons, youths, were missing and as we speak, they have been able to recover three bodies and two are yet to be found. We don’t know whether those ones were actually killed or they are just missing.”
Akpoko who described the attacks as disheartening explained that the armed herdsmen come every now and then, attack their people and go without challenge.
“It’s very alarming and the government is doing very little about it. The thing didn’t just start now, it didn’t start yesterday and Government cannot find a permanent solution to this.
“On daily basis, people are being killed, people are being maimed, women are being raped, children are being massacred. For how long can this continue.”
The association’s Chairman who noted that the country appears to be sliding into a state of anarchy advised the people to prepare for self defense as it has become obvious that Government cannot protect or defend them.
Akpoko visited the LG headquarters for an on the spot assessment. He acknowledged the efforts of members of the military but lamented that they appear to be overwhelmed by the situation.
He lamented that almost all the villages are being attacked saying they are not enough to secure the entire place.
He further called on the state government to open a displaced persons camps in Apa saying “There is no designated IDP camp that Government is taking care of. People are just grouping themselves, particularly, those that do not have relatives that can accommodate them as they are being chased away from their villages.
“They sleep anywhere in the open space, under tree or anywhere they can lay their heads. Our people at the LGA are helpless, no home, no food. Government should come to their our aide,” he said.