Protest at national assembly over Agatu killings

A coalition of civil society groups from Benue state on Wednesday besieged the national assembly complex in protest of the killings in Agatu, a local government area, in the state.

Earlier, the protesters, who were in hundreds, marched to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the ministry of justice where they demanded that the government urgently intervene in the crisis.

Addressing a group of lawmakers led by Bala Na’ Allah, deputy senate leader, Paul Ede, coordinator of the protest, said that the killings in Agatu by suspected herdsmen had continued for weeks, and claimed that 400 people had fallen from the swords of the marauders.

He also claimed that there was a humanitarian crisis in the area, stating that 5,000 people had become homeless.

Ede, therefore, demanded that the federal government set up a commission of inquiry to look into cause of the crisis.

He also demanded an immediate deployment of soldiers and policemen to Agatu to maintain law and order. He asked that relief materials be sent to the internally-displaced persons in the town, while peace should be immediately restored to the area.

Speaking to the dense crowed donning black-and-red striped hats, Na’ Allah assured them that the senate would examine their demands.

“As far as the senate is concerned, an injury to one Idoma man is an injury to all,” he said.

“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 Stella Oduah, Dino Melaye and Binta Garba.

The protesters had converged on Unity Fountain in Abuja from where they set out for their cause.