Following the arrest of some persons over murder and sundry crimes in Ado LGA of Benue state, there are protests in which a local government council chairman is alleged to be biased. JOHN SHIAONDO reports that in the LGA at the moment, it is like the peace of the grave yard.
Controversies have trailed the recent
protest in Ado local government area of Benue state by irrate youths who called for the sack of the chairman, James Oche.
The youths, women and even masquerades had besieged the street of Ado in a protest against the chairman of the LGA.
Allegations against the council boss
But while the protest raged, others viewed the incident as politically motivated, and some believed the protest was borne out of genuine concern over the activities of the chairman who was accused of victimising opposition political party members.
While staging the protest, the youths carried placards with inscriptions like ‘James Oche is an Oppressor’, ‘Enough is enough, we need water in Apa, not War’, ‘Justice for Agila youths’, ‘Justice for Hon. Ochonu William Okefie, Comr Patrick Eza and others’, etc.
The protesters alleged that their grievances were against the incessant molestation of innocent citizens over their political views.
The crowd which was joined by masquerades marched through the major streets in the area, chanting solidarity songs.
Leader of the protesters Otse Agu who spoke accused the chairman of using the Benue Volunteer Guards to molest his political opponents.
According to him, the chairman recently led the Benue Volunteer Guards to a hotel in Otukpo to brutalise an APC Presidential Campaign Council member, Williams Okefie Epe and one Mr Patrick Eza, a human rights activist and social commentator.
Mary Adadu who spoke for the women said their children were daily harassed on the orders of Oche, adding that if nothing is done to curtail the negative development, one day, crises would erupt in the area the manner no one will be able to contain.
It was reported that Oche, in a letter dated November 13, 2022, and addressed to the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Samuel Ortom, said that the victims were suspected to have masterminded the killing of over 30 persons within Apa Ward and neighbouring communities of Ado local government area in the renewed Effium/Ezza crisis.
The letter was quoted to have read, ‘Sequel to the renewed Effium/Ezza crisis that has in the last few days claimed the lives of over Thirty (30) persons within Apa Ward and neighbouring communities of Ado local government, the Ado Team of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards has achieved commendable success with the arrest of persons suspected to have masterminded the unbearable tragedy.
“Sir, the information at my disposal reveals that on Saturday the 12th of November, 2022, the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards who since the ugly incident have intensified efforts in information and intelligence gathering rounded off a group of criminal masterminds wanted in connection with the killings in Ado and other forms of criminality in Benue state.
“The group of three said to be in possession of 2 AK 47 rifles on suspecting the presence of the volunteer guards attempted to escape but two out of the three were overpowered and arrested while the other is at large. Those arrested are Williams Okefie Epe and Patrick Ezza, while the person at large has been identified as Gideon Unazi. The arrest was made at Double K Resort in Otukpo local government area.
“The Volunteer Guards have since handed them over to the Ado Divisional Office of the Nigerian Police for further investigation while intensifying efforts to secure arrest of the person who is at large. Gideon Unazi has a track record of criminality and was once declared wanted by Ado local government. He is also on the wanted list of the Nigerian Police for car theft and sundry crimes.
“Sir, you may wish to recall that the brewing security challenges in Ado have led to the sack of over 10 communities out of 14 in Ulayi and the persistent killing and destruction in Inikiri and neighbouring districts. The persons arrested are strongly suspected to act as mercenaries to their pay masters in Effium communities in Ebonyi state to champion the annihilation of our people.
“We wish to remind you of the growing numbers of internally displaced persons occasioned by these attacks which currently is above two thousand and the adverse effects it has on our collective welfare and socio-economic lifestyle.
“Sir, we have prompted our security agencies to do a most diligent job in fishing out those behind these worrisome and recurrent attacks on our harmless communities and we are sure with these arrests more culprits and suspects will be known, pursued and rounded off to bear the consequences of their inordinate actions. We cannot thank you enough for the many sacrifices and the commitment you have continued to make for us to have lasting peace.”
However, this and the arrest of some members according to the protesters was a target attempt by the chairman and his deputy to subdue the opposition and not as claimed.
Some of the protesters alleged that the victims were brutalised before they were handed over to the police.
According to them, the victims were allegedly also dispossessed of their phones, money and other belongings before being handed over to the police.
They were, however, said to be released after the intervention of the state police commissioner, Wale Abbas.
A resident of the area who pleaded anonymous alleged that after the release from police custody, Williams Okefie Epe and one Mr Patrick Eza and Gideon Unazi
were immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi in Abuja.
He however, said that there are indications that one of the victims who suffered a brain hemorrhage may be taken abroad for medical care.
He alleged that similar cases of brutality and intimidation of political opponents have also been alleged against the council chairman.
Ado security council counters claims
But following the protest, the Ado Security Council held a meeting on Tuesday 22nd November, 2022 and warned that it would not condone any form of security threat to the peace of the area irrespective of their position.
The security council also dismissed allegations that the arrest of affected persons was politically motivated.
The council alleged that no fewer than 30 people were murdered in cold blood due to communal clashes in Ado local government between the 9th and 10th of November, 2022 and the incident was what triggered the Executive Council, the chairman and security agencies within the local government to act fast to forestall further breakdown of law and order, a situation that also led to arrest of some persons suspected to be behind the crisis.
Accordingly, the council was said to had mobilised the security agencies to act fast and directed that those arrested in connection with the situation should be dealt with.
A statement issued after the meeting by the Security Secretary of Ado local government, Vincent Anma said the local government chairman, Hon Oche would not interfere with the ongoing investigation.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Executive & Security Council of Ado local government area of Benue state has been drawn to a protest allegedly carried out by purported youths of Ado local government together with women and masquerades decrying molestation of Ado youths on political grounds by Hon James Oche, the executive chairman of Ado LG.
“Council similarly notes with great displeasure sponsored publications being circulated to media houses targeted at the person and reputation of James Oche, the executive chairman of Ado local government by desperate politicians, particularly of the All Progressives Congress in Apa Ward of Ado local government.
“The Ado Local Government Security Council rising from its expanded meeting therefore wishes to state unequivocally that it would not condone any form of security threat to the lives and property of the people of the local government and similarly cannot be blackmailed not to live up to its expectation in the area of security.
“Security agencies within the local government having been charged to act, undertook investigation and have made some arrests in connection with the crime.
“Those fingered irrespective of their affinity to the executive chairman would not be accorded preferential treatment and have to answer the case against them.
“It is the position of council that neither protests, litigation nor petitions to security agencies would compel the chairman to act in a manner likely to interfere with the ongoing investigation of the death of over thirty indigenes of the local government.”
The council also cautioned youths they alleged was hired to protest against the local government chairman, saying, “Council admonishes the youths who for peanuts pecuniary benefits have been rented as hirelings to protest against the chairman to be weary of breakdown of law and order.
“Council is irritated by the fact that these protesters did not receive the courage to protest the death of over 30 persons but have suddenly found their voice over the arrest of criminal suspects.
“The Ado Local Government Executive and Security Council notes that some of the arrested suspects for which the hired protesters are in the street have before now been on the wanted list of the police and the security council for sundry crimes and would have to face investigation or prosecution for the determination of their culpability or otherwise.
“Council notes that criminal investigation and possible prosecution of suspects are not the job prescription of the local government chairman.”
The council also dismissed claims of political insinuations regarding those arrested in connection with the killings even as it urged youths not to allow themselves to become tools in the hands of politicians from the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the area.
“The Council finds it unreasonable that political insinuations are being raised over the arrest of suspects in connection with the deaths of persons whose political affinity was not known.
“Council further wishes to caution youths in Apa Ward of Ado local government not to be willing tools in the hands of politicians, especially members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the ward who may, out of desperation seek to engage them for acts that may trigger criminality.
“Council notes that, to substantiate its status as a rented crowd, the protesters also ignorantly engaged purported masquerades, a combination alien to the Ado culture as traditional and youth activities like protest have nothing in common,” it added.
Council chairman denies allegations
Also James Oche who spoke reaffirms his administration’s commitment to fighting insecurity, saying he would not, no matter what, or even be blackmailed into giving to political inclinations or insinuations, as insecurity and politics must never be mixed in the interest of the generality of the people.
He urged the people to remain law-abiding, peaceful and to go about their normal businesses as security agencies within the local government are more than ever ready to contain any security challenges that may arise in the area.
Residents express concerns
A resident of Agila who identified himself as Donatus Adanu expressed worry over the turn of events in the local government saying if nothing is done urgently 2023 election campaigns will be disturbing in the area.
He said the protest was borne out of the attack and arrest of some persons in Otukpo from which they suffered various degrees of injuries.
“We should remember that humanity is one and it is high time we moved away from politics of violence and bitterness to politics of issues and development.
“I call on senior citizens and leaders in Agila district to wade into this matter, apportion blame where necessary and reconcile the victims and the attackers. There must be forgiveness, though it is very difficult but achievable,” he noted.
