President of the Senate, David Mark has prevailed on victims of the Agatu/Fulani clash in Benue state not to resort to vengeance or reprisal attacks as government is capable of addressing the matter.
Senator Mark said both the state and federal authorities are concerned about the clash and have deployed security operatives to contain the situation.
Addressing constituency members at Ogwule-Ankpa in Agatu local government area of Benue State when visited the war ravaged communities, Mark lamented over the crisis that have claimed 17 lives, seven persons missing, several others hospitalized and over 50 houses burnt.
“I can feel your pains and agonies. It is a disturbing situation. But vengeance or reprisal attack is not the answer. It is the primary responsibility of government to protect the citizenry. Government would reinforce security in this environment So that you can return to your homes and go about your legitimate businesses”, Mark assured.
The President of the Senate who was accompanied to the on the visit by House of Representatives’ member representing Apa/Agatu federal constituency Adamu Ochepo Entonu told the people not to take laws into their hands as everything would be done to bring justice and peace.
Mark called for synergy between and among Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa state governments to provide security in boundary communities to check the incursions by mercenaries who were allegedly hired to cause the may helm.
Leaders of the community; Salihu Musa Adoba, Onehi Joseph and Sule Aguma narrated their ordeals in the hands of their attackers alleging that the invaders came in the wee hours and started killing people while asleep and burning their houses(since October 13, 2013).
They alleged that the herdsmen asked them to vacate their farm lands and homes to enable them graze their cows even though they (Agatu people) freely accommodated them for decades.
They pleaded with the state and federal governments to help them with relief materials and provide adequate security to enable them go back to normal lives and return their children back to schools shut down since the crises erupted.
