By Peter Duru

MAKURDI—Following the cry for assistance by the survivors of the Agatu massacre after the invasion of the area by herdsmen, which left it in ruins with hundreds of lives lost, the lawmaker representing the constituency in the Benue State Assembly, Alhaji Sule Audu, has stated that over N100 billion is needed for rehabilitation.

Sule, who spoke yesterday in Makurdi, said the sum would go into rebuilding schools, healthcare facilities, roads, water and other critical infrastructure.

He said: “Despite the promises made by the Federal and state governments to have Agatu land and victims of the invasion rehabilitated, nothing has been done till date.

“Apart from providing security in the area, which the Federal Government availed our people through the efforts of the former Senate President, David Mark, and support from John Ngbede and myself, and a little aid, nothing tangible has been provided our people.

“Agatu people have been abandoned to their fate since they returned to their ancestral homeland, which was completely destroyed and may require over N100 billion to rehabilitate and rebuild.

“Besides, we had expected a delegation from the Federal Government, or the Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) committee on the rehabilitation of the North-East to visit Agatu; that also has not happened till date.”

The lawmaker said he would support any action instituted in the courts by individuals or group to seek compensation for the victims of the massacre.