• Death toll in Barkin Ladi attack rises to seven
• Professionals urge Tinubu to deploy drones, special forces to dislodge terror cells
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Council of Benue State, Anthony Adejoh, has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen. This was as the death toll in the attack on Barkin Ladi Local Council of Plateau State, on Monday, by bandits suspected to be Fulani terrorists, rose to seven, yesterday.
Meanwhile, a group of professionals of Tiv extraction, yesterday, in Abuja, called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the deployment of special forces and surveillance technology, including drones, to dislodge terrorist cells masquerading as Fulani herdsmen and causing havoc in Benue.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered on Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo. They were said to be working on their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them. People who heard the gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu, Marvis Ejeh, said Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area. He described the late royal father as a peace-builder, astute community builder and leader who would be greatly missed by all.
Ejeh said: “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Tony Adejo, has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, the Odugbeho community is calm. Our people are calm. Nobody is taking the law into their hands. There is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
DURING the dastardly operation in Barkin Ladi, which led to the killing of six people initially, many people sustained injuries. They were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. According to a victim’s relation, Joshua Pam, his cousin’s physical injuries were mild, but the unseen serious internal injury affected his lungs and ribs.
Pam said the doctors tried to treat the deceased, to no avail, adding that some of the injured patients had been treated and discharged, while others were still receiving treatment.
The Executive Chairman of Barkin Ladi, Stephen Gyang, in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Mercy Chuwang, confirmed the news to journalists and condemned the attacks in Marit village and Gashish district.
President of the group known as OnTiv Professionals Association, Abraham Aku, called on the President to direct the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to take immediate action and ensure the prosecution of the attackers of innocent Benue citizens under Nigerian laws.
Aku said: “Our lands have been turned into graveyards. Our people’s harvests are being destroyed, our daughters and women violated, our sons tortured, while the old who cannot escape are beheaded.” They advised Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue to tread cautiously with the idea of donating land for ranching to any group.
