April 14, 2021

The Chairman, Ado Local Government Area of Benue, Mr James Oche, said people in Agila community were not responsible for attacks on Ebonyi communities.

In statement he issued on Tuesday in Makurdi, Oche described as the “peak of falsehood“ reports in sections of the mass media which alleged that the people of Agila were behind the attacks.

On Monday in a communique through the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Monday Uzor, the Ebonyi State government said the attack which took place in the early hours of Monday the 12th is linked to the age-long Crisis between the community and their Agila neighbours of Benue State.

The statement further revealed that the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Barr Eric Kelechi Igwe had swiftly responded by directing the Military and Police to move into the community to repel the attack and restore peace.

But the LG chairman further refuting the claims said the victims of the attack had already named their attackers and wondered why Agila people were still being accused of masterminding the attacks.

“The people of Agila are peace loving people and have since embraced the recommendations of the Otse Otokpa/Cyril Obazi Agila/Ngbo Inter-community Peace and Security Committee formed by the governments of Ebonyi and Benue’’ he said.

He said Agila people have been cooperating with the National Boundary Commission on the planned delineation and re-beaconing exercise scheduled to hold within the axis.

“Falsehood cannot be the solution to the problem as it will deteriorate the already tensed situation.

“I urge the two parties involved to present facts in the interest of peace and the security of the areas,” Oche advised. (NAN)