The Honourable Member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, has lamented the recent outbreak of hostilities between Odoba and Obu communities of Otukpa District in Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State in which three persons reportedly lost their lives.
Dr. Ottah Agbo in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Andrew Agbese, said the incident which resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property was unfortunate as it was clearly needless and avoidable.
The Lawmaker said this is because if the bonds that existed between communities where people see themselves as brothers/ sisters rather than enemies has been sustained, such needless violence would not occur.
He said it is high time communities resort to the old values of relating with one another as brothers and friends, stressing that it was always better to unite and pursue common goals of development than engage in unhealthy rivalry that does no one any good.
Dr. Ottah Agbo said as chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs, he is aware that certain actions such as the needless killings in Otukpa are usually induced by the abuse of narcotic substances saying that is why he is relentless in fighting the menace of narcotic drug addiction and substance abuse in the society.
He said it is unimaginable that an altercation that ensued from a birthday party could inflame two communities to go at each other to the extent that houses would be torched and people killed.
The Lawmaker appealed for calm and called on traditional rulers and the polymorphous opinion leaders of “our communities to step out and assert their authority” to guide the youths towards embracing peace.
He called on the security agencies to be on alert to avoid further breakdown of law and order.
