• Rep wants displaced Agatu residents in intervention scheme

Outraged at the alleged attacks and killings by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), have urged the Federal Government to arrest those suspected to be responsible for the violence.

Also, a member of the House of Representatives, Adamu Ochepo Entonu, has condemned the plight of his Agatu people who were said to be at the receiving end of the deadly activities of herdsmen recently.

Meanwhile, worried about the insecurity in Benue and Taraba states caused by activities of the Fulani herdsmen, Catholic bishops have gathered at the St. Edward De Confessor Catholic Parish, Kashimbila in Takum Local Government of Taraba to pray against the menace. They urged all, irrespective of religious differences, to embark on prayers for God’s intervention.

Members of the JNI, in a statement yesterday, said: “JNI received with great shock and deep concern the news of incessant killings and maiming of innocent citizens and the destruction of public and private properties. Of particular concern are the brutal murder of people in Agatu, Benue State; Nnibo, Enugu State; and some parts of Nasarawa State. It is indeed alarming that within a few weeks, deadly attacks were reportedly unleashed while the perpetrators escaped un-arrested.”

According to them, “JNI therefore condemns in strong terms these repeated heinous attacks and once again calls on the relevant security agencies to put a stop to this ugly tide, as human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as so.
“JNI and indeed all Nigerians, view the fallout of these repeated attacks, particularly the taking up of arms against other citizens, as another trend of insecurity that portends grave danger to the nation.”

In the statement by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid AbubakarAliyu, the group said Nigerians “must not forget so soon the adverse effect of the so-called Boko Haram group that claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people. Hundreds have been abducted, the males forced into insurgency and the females into slavery.

“Painfully, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, on behalf of Nigerian Muslims, condoles with the families of those who lost their lives.
And sympathises with all affected victims, and also calls for concerted introspection and commitment by relevant agencies to take proactive and effective measures in addressing this pernicious problem.”

Aliyu argued that “millions more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Nigeria and in refugee camps in neighbouring
countries. Public and private properties worth trillions of naira have been destroyed. We therefore call for a thorough investigation byappropriate agencies in order to fish out the evil perpetrators, bring
them to justice and forestall re-occurrence.”

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly complex Abuja, the House of Representatives memberclaimed that no fewer than 7, 000 Agatu persons had not been able to return to their respective homes after the violence unleashed on them by the herdsmen about two months ago.

Entonu, who represents Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of Benue State enjoined the Federal Government to adhere to the resolution of the House of Representatives which specified that Agatu people be included in its proposed intervention programme as part of effort to cushion the effect of the violence that was unleashed on the people by herdsmen.

Acknowledging that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) brought relief materials, he said that much more needed to be done for the Agatu people in terms of reconstruction of their houses to rehabilitate those that were displaced when the crises occurred.
“ The government has not done much in terms of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected communities in Agatu land. Thousands of our people are still in refugee camps as we speak now. NEMA as well as several individuals came with relief materials after the unfortunate incidents but they were grossly inadequate.

“We restate our call on the government to include Agatu in its intervention programme because that is the only feasible means of ensuring that our people whose houses were burnt would be rehabilitated. As things stand now, there is no intervention programme for the suffering people of Agatuland. “

The prayer by the bishops which was designed for reconciliation, peace and unity as observed by The Guardian, was attended by the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, The Most Rev. Charles Hammawa, Bishop of Katsina-Ala Diocese, Rev. Peter Adoboh and Bishop of Gboko Diocese, Rev. Williams Amove Avenya who was said to be the current Secretary of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).