HERDSMEN ATTACK: MORO, OJEMA VISIT AKPETE/OJANTELE, CONDOLE THEM OVER LOSS OF LOVED ONES
—Assure them of quick end to their ordeals
The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade Abba Patrick Moro and the Member representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on National Inland Waterways, Chief. Hon. Pst Ojotu Ojema FESMI, on Friday, May 16, 2025, paid a joint Condolence visit to the people of Akpete/Ojantele Council Ward following the recent attacks and killings in several of their communities by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
Ojantele, Akpete, Omelemu, Ataganyi and Asaba under Akpete/Ojantele Council Ward in Apa LGA, have recently come under heavy and relentless attacks by suspected armed Fulani Herdsmen, resulting in the loss of many lives and displacement of thousands of residents.
Speaking during the visit at Ojantele, Sen Moro said, he has presented a motion on the escalating Insecurity in Benue South, saying he was shocked for the fact that, herdsmen could still attack Ojantele specifically despite its location at the main road.
The Minority Leader added that he is ashamed and tired of always telling his colleagues about the endless carnage in the Benue South he is representing at the Red Chamber, saying the atrocities must end soon.
He sympathized with the people and assured them of his effort and that of Hon Ojema to end insecurity in the affected communities and the entire Apa and Agatu LGAs so that, the displaced persons could go back home.
In his speech, the Federal Lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Chief Ojema expressed his deep sadness over the endless and unprovoked attacks and killing of Benue people, particularly the people of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency.
In his words, “Both of us were in oversea on official engagements when the incidents took place. On our return, we both went to the National Radio/Television stations to condemn the attacks.
“I was shocked and weighed down by the unfortunate incidents while in abroad.
“Our visit here is to commiserate with you over the loss of your loved ones, wanton destruction and massive displacement of your people from their ancestral homes.
“Let me use this opportunity to advise the few youths of the Federal Constituency who are being used cheaply by failed politicians to politicize the insecurity in our land while our people are mourning the gruesome murder of their loved ones by Herdsmen Militia. This is tantamount to laughing at your parents who are mourning their deceased children. These few youths don’t come home to identify with the people but all they do is to take phone and be insulting their leaders who are having sleepless nights and working tirelessly to bring the insecurity to an end. The energy and data you are using to lampoon your leaders should be channelled towards drawing the attention of the State, Federal Governments and the International Community to the plights of your people”, Ojema said.
The Aboh-OcheK’Idoma assured the people of Akpete/Ojantele particularly and the entire people of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of a quick end to the lingering insecurity so that the people could go back home.
Responding on behalf of the people of Ojantele/Akpete, the Och’Ojantele, HRH Chief Emmanuel Edoh, thanked Sen Moro and Hon Ojema for their coming despite their tight schedules, saying the visit has rekindled their hope and has given them sense of belonging.
He lauded Chief Ojema for the ongoing Ojantele Earth Dam project, praying God for its completion.
Chief Edoh commended Ojantele youths for their resilience, praying God for their Protection and soliciting for deployment of mobile Police to Ojantele.
Senator Moro and Hon Ojema also visited Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camps in Ugbokpo, the Apa LGA Headquarters, during which they sympathized with the IDPs over their current ordeals, assuring them of swift end to Insecurity so that they could go back home to continue with their farming and other activities.
Finally, Comrade Abba Moro and Pst Ojotu Ojema were in Enungba to console with Agatu LGA Secretary, Sumaila Abubakar in Enungba over the demise of his wife.
While welcoming the Federal Lawmakers on behalf of the bereaved family, Pastor Sunday Ali, thanked the duo for the show of love to their family, praying God to accord them same.
He added that Enungba community has no transformer and the Apa/Agatu also need Federal Jobs.
Sen Moro in his speech, sympathized with Hon Sumaila Abubakar over the demise of his wife, praying God to comfort him.
He added that he has heard the requests by the community, asking them to put them in prayers.
Responding, Chief Ojema thanked Sen Moro for personally coming to console with Sumaila’s family, saying the people of Apa and Agatu are grateful for the show of love.
Ojema also visited Olochologba to commiserate with the family of late Micah Nathaniel Odoba over his shocking demise.
In his speech, Pst Ojema described Late Micah as one of his great political allies who passed unto glory when his wealth of experience was highly needed, saying the only way his legacy could live on is continuous support of his family for him and assuring them of his reciprocation.
He added that, his greatest moment in his life was when he became born again and was commanded by God to put smiles on the faces of the people and would continue to do so, praying God to give Micah’s family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Ochoyoda Samuel Odoba, Elder James Odoba, Mr Abel Odoba and Dr Apochi Samuel in their separate speeches, profoundly appreciated Pst Ojema for the visit, praying God for his safe trip back to home.
Ekani Olikita
Media Aide to House of Reps Member
Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency
May 17, 2025