Aggrieved youths from Agatu local government area of Benue state on Wednesday embarked on a peaceful protest to the National Assembl...
Aggrieved youths from Agatu local government area of Benue state on Wednesday embarked on a peaceful protest to the National Assembly to express their displeasure over the continued killing of their people by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The placard carrying protesters converged at the Unity fountain from where they marched to the Police Force Headquarters, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) before getting to the National Assembly in a bid to register their plight in the hands of Fulani herdsman.
One of the aggrieved community members identified as Aliyu Okpani said, "The essence of
the protest is to draw the attention of the federal government to our plight in Agatu. The Fulani people have continued to kill our people even up till this morning. They have rendered over 400 people homeless and the government is silent.
"Just two days ago, during the burial of some of the people killed by these marauders, the Fulani people invaded again, killing scores and leaving many wounded."
Co-ordinator of the protest, Paul Edeh while speaking at the National Assembly said, "We the Agatu people are calling for a commission of inquiry into the continued killings in our community which should be headed by the Chief Justice of the Federation."
He also called on the Federal Government to deploy security operatives to the borders of Agatu so as to shield the community from incessant invasion.
The Senate Deputy Majority leader, Sen. bala Ibn Na-Allah assured the protesters that the government would ensure that everybody lives free and not in fear under democracy.
Over 200 people are believed to have so far been killed in the Agatu crisis.
