Idoma youths under the aegis of Apa/Agatu Progressives Forum have decried the killing of their kinsmen by suspected armed herdsmen, saying over 70 persons had so far been killed in Apa, Agatu and Otupko communities within one week in the recent onslaught.
The group which wondered why some people derive pleasure and pride in taking the lives of others, said the Idoma nation was under siege.
Addressing newsmen in Ugbopko, headquarters of Apa local government, the national president of Apa/Agatu Progressives Forum, Comrade Samuel Ebo Adikwu, said most members of the communities had fled their ancestral homes because of the killings by armed herdsmen.
Recounting the incidences, Comrade Adikwu said, “Within a week, scores of innocent sons and daughters of Idoma nation were killed in Ikobi, Atakpa, Akpete, Edikwu, Oiji, Ijaha, Odugbo and Ugbobi where the chief of the community, Chief Elaigwu Adanu was also beheaded.
“We cannot ascertain the total number of persons killed in these communities for now as search and rescue mission is still ongoing. This is even as many fled to unknown destinations as well and many are missing.
“And like people sent on a mission to kill, main and occupy our ancestral lands, these armed herdsmen extended their heinous killing spree to Omogidi, Entepka and other villages of Otupko local government where it was reported that over 50 persons were killed on Thursday.”
Comrade Adikwu appealed to the state and federal governments and the international community to come to the aid of the Idoma nation, adding that lives had been adversely affected in all the affected communities.
He said, “This is more worrisome considering the fact that the populace of these affected communities are 100 percent farmers and being displaced from their farming activities and ancestral homes will certainly subject them to famine, devastation and penury.”
While calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently direct security presence in addition to setting up a joint civilian/military operation and forward operation base in the affected areas, Comrade Adikwu further appealed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning individuals to urgently come to the aid of the affected communities.
