''One Idoma Initiative'' Urges Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom To Visit Agatu.

A group, One Idoma Initiative has called on the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom to visit Agatu local government area in Benue state, where crisis between some Fulani herdsmen and farmers led to the killing of many people. 

In a statement by the convener of the One Idoma Initiative, Paul Edeh, the Agatu people need the support of the government to rebuild their houses. Edeh said: “I call on the executive governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom to visit Agatu.” He said a solution to the crisis that had rocked the area is urgently need. 

“The immediate needs of the Agatu people need to be met, the killings must be stopped and government needs to guarantee their lives and property,” Edeh said. He however stated that the overall objective is to provide support to respond to the immediate needs – security, protections resettlement and reintegration – of the internally displaced persons from the area many people from various communities in Agatu local government area were massacred in a crisis between farm owners and some Fulani herdsmen in the area. Following the crisis, over 300 people have been reported killed while houses where razed and many people displaced from their homes. 

Although the Benue state governor is yet to visit the area, he has however had meetings with various stakeholders of the state in Markurdi, Benue state capital city. Among some prominent natives of Benue state who have visited the area is a former senate president, David Mark. Mark during his visit said he was shocked beyond words at the extent of destruction in Agatu. He had said: “Nothing whatsoever justifies this brazen act of destruction meted out on the people of Agatu.”