The unrelenting wave of violence in Otukpo, Benue State, has reached a boiling point, prompting Blessing Onuh, the lawmaker representing Otukpo-Ohimini Federal Constituency, to cry out for urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu.
In an emotional appeal made on Tuesday in Abuja, Onuh decried the rising insecurity in her constituency, labeling the situation a national emergency that demands immediate action.
“We Are Dying Every Day”
According to Onuh, innocent lives are being lost daily, and the people of Otukpo are living in constant fear, unsure of when the next attack will come.
“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level in recent weeks. Every day, we witness the senseless murder of innocent people, and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal,” she lamented.
She expressed deep frustration over the perceived inaction of security agencies, accusing them of issuing empty reassurances without real intervention.
“Killings Continue, No Justice in Sight”
Onuh cited harrowing incidents to underscore the urgency of the crisis. She revealed that just a day before her plea, a retired customs officer, Mr. Onche Akatu, was brutally murdered in Asa 2 community, Otukpo LGA. To make matters worse, two members of his family were abducted.
“The most painful part is that two members of his family were kidnapped after his gruesome murder. Should the dead man now rise to pay ransom for their release? My heart bleeds,” she lamented.
She also recalled the horrifying murder of a nursing mother, Mrs. Felicia Ochigbo, in the Old NTA Area of the Asa community, along with the killing of an Igbo resident in the same region.
“Last month in Okpomoju Community, suspected herdsmen killed five men, leaving the entire village in mourning. These same criminals are even threatening people with phone calls. Right now, people are fleeing their homes with no idea if the places they are running to are even safe,” she said.
“Are These Killers Above the Law?”
Onuh questioned why security forces have failed to bring the perpetrators to justice, asking whether the attackers were untouchable.
“Are these killers above the law? Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she queried.
She further noted that the fear of attacks has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, worsening food shortages in the region.
“No to Jungle Justice”
While urging President Tinubu to act decisively, Onuh also appealed to the youth in her constituency to resist the temptation of taking the law into their own hands.
She assured them of her commitment to working with political leaders and security agencies to end the violence.
“I will engage with political stakeholders and security heads to ensure these atrocities come to an end. Our people deserve to live in peace,” she vowed.
