AIYA President Calls for Calm, Defends Agatu Chairman Over Oloche Silas Iduh Case
Agatu, Benue State – The Convener/National President of the Agatu Indigenous Youth Association, AIYA, Comr. Ochokwunu Daniel Edor, has called for restraint in public discussions around the detention of Oloche Silas Iduh, Agatu Local Government Youth Chairman, and defended the role of LGA Chairman Hon. James Melvin Ejeh in the matter.
Reacting today to a social media post by Oloche Fodio that called for the questioning of Hon. Ejeh by Obagaji/Adogoji stakeholders, Edor said the demand ignores the broader context of the case and the responsibilities of community leadership.
“People who abandoned their own son for one whole year should know what they are trying to avoid,” Edor said. “People who do not even care to know what is going on in Oloche’s trial process have no moral right questioning anyone suspected to have a hand in such a case.”
He noted that a significant number of Agatu leaders are from Obagaji/Adogoji, the same group now being called to investigate the chairman, and questioned who should be answering questions.
Edor disclosed that he personally spoke with Chairman Ejeh last year regarding the case while he was traveling between Owerri and Benin City.
“I Daniel Edor told him I suspected him on this matter, blue and black. I didn’t say it indirectly. I told him plain,” he said. “He took his time and explained to me the rules of engagement of these security personnel, and I understood with him. I told him the only thing that will make us, and particularly me, believe he has no hand in it, is for him to go and bring Oloche back to us. He promised he would do his best, and I can tell you he is putting in that best he promised.”
On criticism directed at the chairman’s involvement, Edor responded sharply to another commentator, Prince Jibril, questioning the suggestion that the LGA chairman should have no stake in the arrest of the local government youth president.
“Melvin is an Agatu stakeholder, he is the chairman of Agatu people, he is the chief security of the community,” Edor said. “For you to tell us nothing concerns him when the president of the youth of the local government where he is chairman is arrested in relation to security matters – who should it concern exactly?”
He added: “This is an Agatu matter. Was he protecting his family with what he is alleged to be in possession of, or protecting Agatu where the same person you said has no concern rules?”
Edor also advised all Agatu youths and stakeholders to stop discussing the Oloche Silas matter on social media for now and allow those handling the case to focus on necessary legal steps.
“Your argument or defense does not add anything to his matter, so hold your peace,” he said. “Please let Melvin breathe, my brothers.”
AIYA has separately issued a public notice urging Agatu youths to suspend all planned protests over the Oloche case, citing ongoing collaboration between Oloche’s legal team and Agatu/Idoma stakeholders to resolve the matter through due process.