By Egbe Attah
Following the crises which erupted in Otobi-Akpa community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the death of a 24 -year- old, Abel Agbo, son of late third class chief, Agbo Egaji, last Sunday, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government , Chief George Alli, has appealed to the people of the area to give peace a chance.
The council boss, who made the appeal recently, while on a fact finding mission to the community; explained that was there he had come to see things for himself after receiving news of the crises, which according to him, was so shocking.
“I am here to know what led to this unrest. I want to thank you for bringing the situation under control. It could have been worse. Thank you for exercising restraint by not taking laws into your hands. I want to assure you, justice will be served”, he said.
Also speaking, the Otukpo DPO, Yahaya Bawa, thanked the community for not letting the matter get out of hand, saying, the matter would be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators would be brought to book.
An elder of the community, Chief Odeh Adukpe, while lamenting on the death of their son, told Alli that the community decided to follow the path of peace in the matter out of respect for him while expressing hope that justice would be served. He said “Chairman, we are greatly saddened by the death of our son in the hands of the same people who were accused of killing his parents. We are not afraid of taking a life for a life, but, we respect you and we know you will ensure that justice is served in this matter. We want justice”, he added.
Johnson Agbo, younger brother to the late 3rd- class Chief also spoke in similar tone even as the oldest person in the community, elder Agbo Ikese, explained that the matter was the chieftaincy tussle which led to the death of the late chief and his wife, that also claimed his young son’s life.
The chairman earlier made a brief stop at the palace of the late 3rd class, chief, late Chief Agbo Abel Egaji; where he commiserated with the family over their son’s death.
Alli, was accompanied on the visit by a son of the community and Leader, Otukpo Legislative Assembly, Hon. Enokela Enoch Alegwu; Secretary to Otukpo LG, Barr. Oyaje Egwa; councillor representing Alan Ward, Hon. James Akpala; Supervisory Counselor for Education, Frank Ogbole; Special Adviser on Security, Igoche Ikwue; and the Chairman’s Chief of Staff, Awulegbe Adama, among others.
