… urge calm over suspected cult leader’s death
Youth leaders in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State have expressed strong support for ongoing military efforts to combat insecurity in the region, particularly praising the work of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security operatives for their recent actions aimed at dismantling criminal networks.
Under the banner of the Apa Youths Progressive Vanguard, the group cited recent arrests of individuals allegedly involved in kidnapping, cultism, and other violent activities as evidence of the operation’s success.
Their statement, jointly signed by National President Mr. John Odaudu and National Secretary Mr. Sunday Ebo, emphasized the positive outcomes of the crackdown.
While acknowledging public concerns over the death of one Ochowechi Ernest Owoicho—suspected to be a leader of a notorious cult group—the youth group pointed to independent investigations suggesting that Ernest died of natural causes linked to his health condition.
“According to our independent findings, Ernest was a sickle cell patient, whose death at the council’s General Hospital did not suggest torture, or anything close to it, as there were no visible marks to validate such narratives being peddled in some quarters,” the group stated.
They urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting military operations, emphasizing that the efforts were being conducted in full compliance with the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s rules of engagement.
“We have noted with concern attempts by some misguided individuals to demoralise the military through a sponsored campaign of human rights abuse, and alleged killing of a youth (Ernest).”
“We make bold to state that Operation Whirl Stroke, in all its operational outings, does not detract from the standard operating procedure (SOP), rules of engagements, and other manuals issued by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in the prosecution of armed conflicts.”
The group stressed that military personnel had demonstrated precision and discipline in targeting criminal elements across the region.
“Independent investigations by our team revealed that scores of kidnappers, who held sway along the Apa/Agatu axis, have been killed, dozens apprehended, while many others have fled the general area.”
They called on all members of the Apa community to stand in solidarity with security agencies.
“While regretting the unfortunate incident, we call on our people see the larger picture, which is the protection of lives and property of our people, and the restoration of security, peace and public safety.
“The ongoing clampdown on criminal elements, we insist, is in the collective interest of our people, and all hands must be on deck to ensure its overall success,” it said.
The group also called attention to the professionalism of the troops.
“Our troops are given the best that any Military the world over can offer, in terms of training and professionalism, hence understand the game of identification, isolation, and engagement, when it comes to internal security operations of this nature.
“We insist that the glory of Apa land, known for its hospitality, peaceful coexistence, industry, and rich tradition, must be restored by all legitimate means, as exemplified in the ongoing kinetic operations,” the statement said.
They further highlighted the importance of community collaboration in achieving long-term security.
“We further hasten to add that security has now assumed a whole-of-society approach, hence the urgent need for us to support our Military, and other security agencies in their quest to rid Apa and its surroundings of criminal elements, whose only preoccupation is bloodletting.”
In a related call-to-action, the youth group urged the Executive Chairman of Apa LGA, Comrade Adams Ochega Ogwola, to enhance local support for the ongoing security operations.
“We will not concluded without calling on the executive chairman of our dear council, to take charge as the chief security officer of Apa Local Governments, with enormous grassroots power to galvanise actionable information for our Military.
“No doubt, the chairman has been doing his best, but we are using this opportunity to charge him to do more, especially in the area of taming cultism, which seems to be rife in our land,” it said.
The group recommended the establishment of community-based security initiatives to help detect and prevent threats in real time.
“We urge the council boss to establish, or provide the needed resources for communities and clans to establish neighbourhood security platforms, which will help to monitor movements and activities of strangers.”
“The idea is to gather real-time local intelligence while also providing round-the-clock surveillance around the respective communities that constitute Apa council, including border areas,” the statement added.
