Ex-Kogi Council Boss Calls for Enhanced Security in Agojeju-Odo, Ajokpachi-Odo, Bagana
By Gloria Essien, Abuja
A former Caretaker Chairman of Omala local council of Kogi state, Dr. Jerome Aduojo has called for the immediate deployment of security operatives to Agojeju-Odo; Ajokpachi-Odo and Bagana.
This is as he raised alarm of another attack in the communities.
In a statement, he claimed that the people of the affected area and neighbouring communities have deserted their own ancestral lands to seek refuge in – Abejukolo-Ife, the Omala local council headquarter with no Internally displaced persons (IDP) centres on ground.
Aduojo who is the President Ojone Foundation Nigeria further raised alarm that the Fulanis are regrouping for another round of attacks on defenceless citizens of the local government area.
He also blamed Fulani herders for the killing of no fewer than 21 persons in Agojeju-Odo; Ajokpachi-Odo and Bagana areas of the state.
Relief materials
He further called for the immediate release of relief materials to the survivors through the ADA National President – Mr. Benjamin Isah aka Dino; the Community Leader – Comrade Elias Atabo.
He equally called for the establishment of a Police Station in Agojeju-Odo and Ajokpachi-Odo, the establishment of a Military base and Naval Out Post at Bagana and a mobile police unit at Idrisu or Agbenema -Ife.
He also suggested a full scale federal investigation into the crisis, deaths and destruction of farmlands, properties and human lives in Bagana District; Agojeju-Odo; Obakume and Agbenema-Ife, with government intervention and compensation for the victims.
Reminiscing the circumstances that led to the attack on the community, he said it is unfortunate that the people of Agojeju-Odo; Ajokpachi-Odo, and Bagana have been left to their fate since the ugly incident occurred.
“The Fulani-Herdsmen and Militias had been attacking Bagana and the Agatus in Benue State since 2013. This led to the destruction of lands; Properties and innocent, unarmed Lives in Omala LGA.
“Bagana District is a ghost town today which the Fulani-Herdsmen and their Militias are using as their base to attack the Agatus passing through Agojeju-Odo and Ajokpachi-Odo (the immediate boundary town of Omala LGA with the Agatus in Benue State)
” The Ajokpachi-Odo people are under Protection agreement with the Agatus, hence the Fulani -herders cannot take their cattle to the Community. The Omala LGC Caretaker Chairman entered a co-existence agreement with the Myetti Allah Organization in Omala LGA, and part of the agreement was that the Fulanis should not graze their cattle to Agojeju-Odo and neighboring Odo communities to avoid conflicts with the Agatus. Which they agreed and signed.
He said the Fulani’s kept flaunting the agreement and their hired Militias kept going to attack the Agatus. The Agatus in a reprisal, will kill their cattle grazing on our lands.
Lateefah Ibrahim
