By our reporter
Protests by irate residents of Otukpo, a leading town in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, broke out today, Tuesday, April 1.
In their numbers, they took to the streets raising their voices against the increasing killings and kidnappings in their area.
The development came as residents of Olena, Apu community of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) fled their homes on Monday night, March 31, following attacks by killer herdsmen.
Blocking major roads, the Otukpo protesters chanted “we no go gree o! We no go gree!” and sought immediate remedial action from the state government and security agencies.
They bemoaned what was described as frequent attacks by the herdsmen, saying the incidents had become a “constant recurrence.”
According to one of them, who identified himself simply as Oche, each time the herdsmen attacked, it was first preceded by a power outage.
He wondered if there was a corruption link between local officials of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) and the herdsmen, fuelling calls for security searchlight into the claim.
He said: “This has been happening again and again. We are not safe in our own homes. And have you noticed? NEPA (JEDC) always takes light before every operation. It’s like they don’t want us to see what’s coming.”
Otukpo residents said the recurring violence has compelled many of them to abandon their homes with those remaining living in fear of terror.
Olena Residents Claim Several Deaths By Herdsmen, Flee
Meanwhile, reports from Olena said the locality has been besieged for four days now, amid claims of many fatalities and several abductions by the herdsmen.
When help was not forthcoming on Monday night, many residents reportedly took to their heels to save their very lives and those of their loved ones, a report said.
“Olena has been under attack for days now. They have killed and kidnapped several people. We have been crying for help, but no security agents have come to our rescue. Olena is under serious attack as we speak,” a source disclosed.
Video clips showed residents running away from their homes on Monday night amidst the continuing attacks.
APC, LP,NNPP, SDP Decampees Berth In PDP, Cite Insecurity
In a related development, many persons in Okpokwu Local Government Area (LGA) have defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the opposition Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) in favour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the immediate-past ruling party in the state.
Linking their defection to the alleged inability of the APC-led state and federal governments to tame the rising insecurity in the Middle Belt state, they added that they have confidence in leadership provided by the Benue South Senatorial District lawmaker, Senator Abba Moro.
Their words: “We are defecting to your party from several political parties because of the quality leadership and representation you are providing in the Senate.
“You have touched almost every community in Benue South, and we have realized that there is no leader like you.”
Welcoming them, Sen. Moro told the decampees that they are assured of equal opportunities, adding that he would continue to provide effective leadership to the people.
Minority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mike Audu; Chairman, Okpokwu LGA PDP, Mr. Christopher Okpabi, and other top personalities from the senatorial district attended the event.
