Lawmaker Mourns Fallen Soldiers In Benue Attack, Urges Gov’t Intervention

Rep. Ojotu Ojema, Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, has commiserated with the families of military personnel who lost their lives in fresh attacks in Okokolo Community in Benue.

This is contained in a statement signed by Olikita Ekani, the Media Aide to Ojema in Abuja on Sunday.

Recall that suspected herdsmen attacked Okokolo Community in Agatu local government area in the late hours of Thursday, Jan. 18.

The attack resulted in the death of four people and one wounded military personnel, as reported by locals.

Ojema, who condemned the attack, said the military were martyred for trying to defend their fatherland.

He expressed sadness and condemnation over the renewed onslaught on the innocent people of Agatu, describing it as another reminder of the calamities that befell the people in the past.

He urged the Federal Government to nip the resurgent attacks in the bud to prevent further escalation to other communities in Agatu and neighbouring Apa local government area.

Ojema assured his constituents that he is working relentlessly, in collaboration with traditional, religious, and political leaders and relevant security agencies to bring lasting solutions to the lingering insecurity in the area.

He urged the people to be security-conscious and report any suspicious movement to security agencies, urging them not to take the law into their own hands.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the troops of Sector 6, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), successfully repelled the attack by bandits on Okokolo community.

The OPWS Force Commander, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, told newsmen in Makurdi on Saturday that the officers averted the sacking of the community by the suspected bandits at a huge cost.

Igbinomwanhia said during the operation, the troops lost three officers; two soldiers and one Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, while two other soldiers sustained injuries and have been rushed to the Air Force Hospital for treatment.

(NAN)