Locals blame Security agencies for Dropping the Ball
By Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita
(Makurdi) In a deliberate and clear show of rejection of peace in Agatu land, armed Fulani terrorists again overran Egwuma Community on Saturday, October 26, 2024, killing two persons, injuring one and burning down several houses that were still standing from previous attacks.
What was shocking to many local residents about the attack was that it started at 2 pm local time (13-hour GMT) was having in the middle of a Peace and Security Meeting a delegation of Fulani Ethnic group and representatives of Agatu from Benue state, as well as representatives of the Igala and Ibira ethnic groups drawn from Kogi and Nasarawa State respectively at Signature Hotel Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The latest attack is the 5th since Fulani Ethnic Militias (FEM) have invaded the community since June with devastating consequences.
The rampaging marauders had earlier attacked the battered Agatu community on Sunday, July 14, 2024 and on Oct 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, killing many persons including the Monarch of the Community and again on Oct 10.
The Fulani, a group known across West Africa for their cattle-herding and historical involvement in regional jihad wars, have been linked to thousands of massacres in Nigeria. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, the Fulani have been responsible for 55,000 deaths in the last four years.
Egwuma youths speak out, blame Security agencies
Speaking in an interview with TruthNigeria, a community Leader of Egwuma Community, Desmond Jeremiah, decried frequent attacks on his community, blaming security agencies for inaction.
Desmond who spoke in Idoma (the language of the locals) said; “Fulani terrorists have invaded our village once again in another deadly attack.
“The attack started around 2 pm local time (13 hours GMT) with sporadic gunshots from all angles. Two of our youths who were guarding the community were shot and died at the spot, while one sustained life-threatening injuries and has been taken to an undisclosed hospital”, Desmond said.
No Military Presence in Egwuma
Speaking further to TruthNigeria, Desmond said; “there is no presence of any soldier in Egwuma. Anyone who is saying otherwise is lying to you.
“Even Soldiers who were in the neighboring village of Ogwule-Kaduna quickly relocated back to Obagaji, the Agatu County Headquarter shortly after they were told about the ongoing attack on Egwuma Community, saying they were not there for any fight.
“I have contacts of Operation Whirl Stroke Military base in Obagaji, but I refused to call them because I knew, nothing good would come out of it. So, what is the need of me calling them? Like what happened today, some military personnel came to Ogwule-Kaduna and quickly returned back to Obagaji without going to Egwuma, where the attack was taking place”, Desmond said in tears.
Locals call for replacement of military with Mobile Police
Similarly, another Youth Leader, Umar Saidu in an interview with TruthNigeria, corroborated the narrative of Desmond Jeremiah, saying Egwuma was once again attacked on Saturday by armed Fulani Jihadists who came in large number from occupied Agatu Riverine communities, neighboring states of Kogi and Nasarawa.
“The population of the attackers was too much and overwhelmed the youths protecting our village, resulting to the death of two of our youths namely, Abu Musa, D.J. Jack and wounding of one person whose spinal was shattered severely”,
“The attack commenced at about 2 pm but no personnel of any security agency appeared. Some Military personnel arrived Ogwule-Kaduna but quickly returned back to their base in Obagaji, Agatu LGA Headquarter after they were briefed about the ongoing attack”.
“We seriously need Mobile-Police Forces as the soldiers are not willing to fight the terrorists, leaving our people to their fate, Saidu said.
Agatu County Chairman denies allegation
When contacted by TruthNigeria Correspondents for his reaction on the latest attack and the allegation made by locals against the security agencies, Agatu County Chairman, Hon Melvin James Ejeh, confirmed the attack but dismissed the allegation, promising to give further explanation but didn’t.
“I am in touch sir, the allegation is not true, I will explain to you sir”, Hon Melvin said.
All efforts to hear his so-called explanation proved abortive as he declined further conversation. As at the time of filing this report, nothing has been heard from him.
In a telephone interview with TruthNigeria Correspondents, the Police Relations Officer (PPRO) Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said, the Command has not received any briefing about the attack.
“Who was attacking who? My office has not been briefed officially about the attack”, Anene said.
Attacks, kidnappings and killings by armed Fulani terrorists have continued unabated in several communities in Agatu and Gwer-West Counties of Benue State but most of them are either not reported or underreported by mainstream media in Nigeria.
Stephen Enada, the co-founder of The International Committee on Nigeria, believes the attacks are motivated both by a drive to grab land and to force Islam up the residents. “Egwuma Agatu in Benue State is a border town with Kogi State and very near the River Benue bordering Nassarawa State. The Fulani Ethnic Militia have encamped in this community in this location in the last four years and the current Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, has been complicent and giving the aggressors opportunity to annex peoples’ land,” Enada texted to TruthNigeria, adding:
“This is a big crime for which Governor Alia is culpable, and he is bullying and playing politics with people’s lives.”
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
