Worried by the killings in Agatu Local Government in Benue State by suspected Fulani herdsmen, a coalition of civil society groups from the state, yesterday stormed the National Assembly to protest against
the wanton destruction of lives and properties, and called for immediate deployment of soldiers and policemen to the area to maintain law and order.
Coordinator of the groups, Paul Ede who led others to express their grievances, said the killings in Agatu by suspected herdsmen had continued for weeks, and claimed that 400 persons had lost their lives to the invaders. Ede who also claimed that there was a humanitarian crisis in the area, lamented that 5, 000 persons had been rendered homeless, however demanded that the federal government set up a commission of inquiry to find out the remote and immediate cause of the crisis.
The protesters also demanded for an immediate deployment of security operatives to Agatu to maintain law and order, pleading for relief materials to be sent to the internally-displaced persons in the town, Addressing the protesters, Deputy Majority leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’ Allah, who assured them that the senate would look into their demands, said,” As far as the senate is concerned an injury to one Idoma man is an injury to all.
We are with you 100 percent in the protest. We will take these demands back to senate and decision will be taken on them.” Other senators who received the protesters were Senators Stella Oduah, PDP, Anambra North; Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West and Binta Garba, APC, Adamawa North. Earlier, the protesters, had marched to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the ministry of justice where they demanded that the government should urgently intervene in the crisis.
