The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council of Benue, Hon. Melvin Ejeh has vowed action against perpetrators of renewed attacks in some parts of the local government.
Ejeh, who expressed sadness over the latest repeated attacks on some parts of Council by suspected herdsmen, vowed that the perpetrators will not go free.
He insisted that every machinery would be put in place to track the arsonists and their sponsors to face the wrath of the law.
He asked merchants of crisis in the area to relocate or surrender to constituted authorities, reminding them that a new sheriff was in town hence it wouldn’t be business as usual.
The Chairman, in a statement he personally signed, thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Service Chiefs for their prompt response and intervention through Operation Whirl Stroke and the Nigeria Police, respectively for repelling the bandits and restoring immediate peace to the community.
Hon. Ejeh, who is the Vice Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State chapter, called on the people of Agatu to remain calm and not take the law into their hands in spite of the unprovoked attacks, assuring that security agencies will go after the perpetrators and consequently bring them to justice.
He hinted that already, clearance operations have already commenced in the entire Agatu area, explaining that it will be sustained to ensure that the influx of the bandits and herdsmen into Agatu land is completely stopped.
He vowed that his administration would pursue until it recovers every inch of Agatu land for the people, assuring that ” no part of Agatu will be lost to the bandits.
“Agatu belongs to all of us and we shall continue to sustain it,” he added.
The statement reads in full: “I am deeply saddened by reports of repeated attacks by suspected herdsmen around Agatu, particularly Agatu West of Agatu Local Government Council, in recent times.
“Just yesterday, again, I received a report of an attack on Okwutanobe Village of Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward that some houses were razed and livestock rustled by these unscrupulous criminal elements.
“I thank the Nigerian Armed Forces, ably led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, and all the Service Chiefs, for their swift response and intervention through Operation Whirl Stroke and the Nigerian Police Force for repelling the bandits and restoring immediate peace to the community and environs.
“Already, clearance operations have commenced in entire Agatu area and this will be sustained to ensure that the influx of these bandits and herdsmen into Agatu land is completely stopped. We will pursue this until we recover every inch of Agatu land for our people. No part of Agatu will be lost to these bandits. Agatu belongs to all of us and we shall continue to sustain it.
“I also want to especially thank the Benue State Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of Agatu, for their timeliness in confronting this ugly situation. They made us proud.
“I want to use this medium to assure the good people of Agatu that, all efforts, both kinetic and non-kinetic, are in place currently to tackle this ugly trend. Let me reiterate that my administration is committed to restoring the peace, stability, and development of our people, with an emphasis on rebuilding ruined communities in Agatu.
“Agatu is our ancestral home, and no one can chase us away from here.
“May I use this medium to appeal to all criminal elements who have infiltrated our council area to relocate, surrender, and repent from their criminal ways so as not to fall into the long arm of the law?
“This administration will not leave any stone unturned in its quest to ensure that our people sleep with their two eyes closed. We will do everything within our power to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development of our Council.”
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