By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—Worried by the level of destruction in Agatu local government area of Benue State, the paramount ruler of neighboring Apa  local government, Odejo K’Apa, Chief John Antenyi, has called on the Federal Government to set up a special commission and victims’ support fund to fast track the rehabilitation of the victims of the Agatu crisis.

Chief Antenyi made the appeal yesterday when he received relief materials for the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, from an Idoma chief, Benjamin Omale, in his palace at Ugbokpo.

He said the Agatu people were worst hit by the herdsmen attack, contending that only a victims’ support fund could help the IDPs return to their homes after losing all they have to the crisis.

The paramount ruler said, “With the level of destruction and devastation suffered by the victims of the crisis who have lost all of their property and sources of livelihood in the Agatu crisis I appeal to the Federal Government to set up a commission that would rehabilitate the victims. If constituted, the commission should also be charged with the responsibility of providing succour and ensuring that the displaced persons returned to their ancestral homes without further delay.”