The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council in Benue State, Hon. Melvin Ejeh, has vowed to take action against the perpetrators of renewed attacks in some areas of the local government.
Ejeh expressed his sadness over the recent repeated attacks on parts of the Council by suspected herdsmen, stating that the perpetrators will not go unpunished.
He insisted that all necessary measures will be implemented to track down the arsonists and their sponsors so that they can face the full force of the law.
He urged the merchants of crisis in the area to relocate or surrender to the constituted authorities, reminding them that a new sheriff is in town, and it won’t be business as usual.
In a statement he personally signed, the Chairman 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 peace to the community.
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Hon. Ejeh, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Benue State chapter, called on the people of Agatu to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands despite the unprovoked attacks, assuring them that security agencies will pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He noted that clearance operations have already commenced throughout the Agatu area and explained that these operations will be sustained to ensure that the influx of bandits and herdsmen into Agatu land is completely halted.
He vowed that his administration will pursue its mission 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 in Agatu West of the Agatu Local Government Council, in recent times.
“Just yesterday, I received a report of an attack on Okwutanobe Village in Ogwule Ogbaulu Ward, where some houses were razed and livestock were 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, as well as the Nigerian Police Force for repelling the bandits and restoring immediate peace to the community and its surroundings.
“Already, clearance operations have commenced throughout the Agatu area, and these will be sustained to ensure that the influx of these bandits and herdsmen into Agatu land is completely stopped. We will pursue 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 specially thank the Benue State Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agatu for their prompt action in confronting this unfortunate situation. They have 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 currently in place to tackle this troubling trend. Let me reiterate that my administration is committed to restoring the peace, stability, and development of our people, with an emphasis on rebuilding the devastated communities in Agatu.
“Agatu is our ancestral home, and no one can chase us away from here.
“May I appeal to all criminal elements who have infiltrated our council area to relocate, surrender, and repent from their criminal ways to avoid falling into the long arm of the law.
“This administration will leave no stone unturned in its quest to ensure that our people can sleep with both eyes closed. We will do everything within our power to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development for our Council.”
