BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The lawmaker representing Otukpo-Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Blessing Onuh, has expressed frustration over renewed killings, kidnappings, and destruction of farmlands by suspected herders in her constituency.
Onuh, who spoke to journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, described the situation as a national emergency requiring urgent federal attention.
Visibly distraught, the two-term lawmaker lamented that despite several motions and appeals to relevant authorities, the killings have continued unabated.
“I am really pained and frustrated. How can I continue to move motions on insecurity without sustained response? Whenever I cry, they respond, but soon they retreat and then more gruesome attacks occur”.
Onuh disclosed that she had spent a significant part of her personal resources on medical bills and funeral expenses for victims of the attacks, describing the situation as both “relentless and worsening”.
She cited recent incidents to illustrate the deteriorating security situation in the area. According to her, on Sunday, November 9, four persons were abducted in Asa village, Otukpo Local Government Area, while eleven others were kidnapped two days later in Akpegede village.
“The most painful aspect is that the camp of these criminals is in Otukpo. All the security agencies are aware of it. They are there in their numbers with arms and ammunition”.
Onuh narrated that on November 3, three villagers; Pastor Simon Nkpachi, Inalegwu, and John Ejeh Ijegwa went missing after heading to their farms. Pastor Nkpachi’s body was later found with machete wounds, while Inalegwu’s corpse was discovered the next day.
Before the community could recover, she said, the attackers returned on November 4, killing four more residents; Stephen Ajeibi, Titus Ejeh (a blind man), Ekoja Gabriel, and Samuel Peter and setting houses, food barns, and farmlands ablaze.
“Up till now, the body of John Ejeh Ijegwa, popularly known as Dealer and an APC community leader, is still missing. Fear has not allowed anyone to enter the bush to search for his body”.
In all, seven people were killed, though only six bodies have been recovered and deposited at the Federal University Hospital, Otukpo mortuary, awaiting burial on Thursday, November 13.
Onuh appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the new Service Chiefs and other security agencies to take urgent steps to end the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level. Every day, we witness the senseless murder of innocent people, and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal”.
She also faulted what she called “cosmetic responses” by local and state officials, who only issue statements after each attack without taking concrete action.
“Are these killers above the law? Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she asked.
Onuh warned that the persistent attacks have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, thereby worsening food insecurity in the region.
While urging youths to avoid reprisal attacks, she assured her constituents of continued engagement with relevant authorities to ensure peace returns to the area.
“I will continue to engage with political leaders and security agencies to ensure these atrocities come to an end. Our people deserve to live in peace”.
