“Our People Deserve Peace”: Apochi Nelson Owoicho express concern over Govt Silence After 9 Killed in Benue Attack
Emmanuel Onuh
A concerned son of Apa Local Government of Benue State ,Apochi Nelson Owoicho, has condemned the recent attack on Ankpali community in the Apa-Agatu axis of Benue State, which reportedly left at least nine people dead.
In a statement issued on Monday in Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa Local Government Area, Owoicho described the killings as part of a “disturbing and sustained wave of violence” that has continued to devastate the region.
He noted that over the past few months, the area has witnessed repeated incidents of killings and abductions, adding that the violence has become a tragic reality for the residents.
“The attack in Ankpali, which claimed nine lives, is yet another painful reminder of the worsening security situation. Communities are left in fear while waiting for decisive action,” the statement read.
Owoicho further highlighted the economic impact of the crisis, stating that the violence has crippled farming activities as the planting season approaches. He lamented that markets, schools, and hospitals in the affected areas have remained shut, while residents have deserted their ancestral homes.
He linked the insecurity in the state to the broader threat of food insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that the displacement of farmers poses a risk to national stability.
“Our people deserve to return to their lives. They deserve to go back to their farms and return to their homes to sleep with their eyes closed in peace,” he said.
The community leader called on the Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to visit the affected communities in Apa-Agatu for a firsthand assessment of the situation.
He also appealed for the immediate deployment of additional security personnel and the provision of adequate resources to protect lives and property in the area
