…says it’s unprovoked, unacceptable

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro has decried the bloody attack on Okpomaju community in Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state by armed herdsmen describing it as unprovoked and unacceptable.

The lawmaker also condemned the razing of classroom blocks at Central UBE Secondary School, Ugwu-Okpoga, and Junior Secondary School, Aboss in Okpokwu LGA by arsonists.

Recall that armed herdsmen had early last week attacked the hunters of Okpomaju community who were on hunting expedition after mistaking them for enemies. Two hunters and one herder was killed in the incident while several others sustained varying degrees of injury.

The crisis escalated few days later claiming five more lives despite efforts by the traditional ruler of Otukpo, the Och’Otukpo Odu, Chief John Eimonye to have the parties sheathe their swords and ensure peaceful coexistence in his domain.

Senator Moro in a statement in Makurdi by his Media Adviser, Emmanuel John lamented the attack when he paid a condolence visit to the people of the community.

He said “there was no reason for any person or group of persons to pick up arms against harmless, armless and innocent people who are living and going about their legitimate businesses peacefully.”

Senator Moro noted that he had limited powers, since he was neither the governor of the state nor president of the country but expressed his readiness “to partner with like-minds and relevant stakeholders to put an end to the dastardly killings in the land.”

The lawmaker commended the youths for their courage to protect the lives and properties of the people against all odds and assured them of his continued support.

He sympathized with the community particularly those who lost loved ones and prayed God to repose the souls of those killed and grant quick recovery to the wounded.

At Okpoga, Okpokwu LGA, the lawmaker strongly condemned the burning down of classroom blocks at Central UBE Secondary School, Ugwu-Okpoga, and Junior Secondary School, Abossa, by arsonists. He wondered what would warrant anyone to burn down school buildings.

He charged people to “jealously protect and guard public properties in your domains.” He promised to undertake the rebuilding of the damaged school.

Senator Moro also visited the Nigeria Police Okpokwu Divisional Headquarters, Okpoga where he commended the DPO and his men for their efforts in maintaining law and order in the land. He lamented the dilapidated nature of the Command and promised to renovate it.

On the entourage of the Senate Minority Leader were the Minority Leader, Benue State House of Assembly, Mike Audu; the member representing Okpokwu State Constituency, Anthony Agom; Benue State PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Alice Albert; PDP State Financial Secretary, Emmanuel Adokwu, former Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Egli Ahubi, former Chairman of Okpokwu LGA, Mrs. Amina Audu among others.