Benue, the nation’s food basket, is mired in catastrophe.
Daily attacks by heavily armed cattlemen in military camouflage target roughly 200 villages.
Over 500 people have died in three local government areas in Benue South Senatorial District, known as Idoma land, in the past three months.
Many homes have burned demolished and many residents are missing in villages in Otukpo, Apa, and Agatu LGAs, where marauders killed several locals.
No one has claimed responsibility for the horrible attacks, but residents blame ‘Fulani herdsmen.’
Bloodbath returns to Agatu
After years of calm, Agatu has been hit by a slaughter that has spread to neighbouring villages and local governments like Apa and Otukpo.
The current violence in Agatu destroyed Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, Ejima, Okokolo, Olegomakwu, Olegonyilo, Nahem, Ocholonya, Abugbe, Ugboju, Odugbeho, and Olegobidu, killing many.
What began as unrest in Agatu has escalated into violence in Adoka, Otukpo, affecting communities like Umogidi and Entekpa.
Idoma youths fight armed, poor men.
A local source reported that approximately 700 armed individuals have surrounded Otukpo, Apa, and Agatu villages with no security forces nearby.
The brave Idoma youths from Ohimini who chose to protect their ancestral homes face formidable opponents armed with MG3, Heckler & Koch G3, AK47, and other lethal weapons.
In the impacted areas, villagers have also complained about security shortages.
A vigilante, who requested anonymity, described a recent interaction with security agents who warned against retaliation.
He informed our reporter, “We, the Ohimini and Ugboju youths, came here to help our brothers and sisters, but things turned out tough.
“The law enforcement officers deserted us.
When we arrived, one informed us that they would take out our guns if we shot recklessly.
Only ‘shakable’ dane weapons with 10 rounds of ammo are available.
We found things harder than expected in the jungle. We had to retreat because our adversaries were too strong.”
A volunteer on the battlefield described the peasants’ plight in a widely distributed video seen by our correspondent.
He believes the terrorists want to eliminate the Idoma community from Nigeria.
We arrived here as 50 kids from neighbouring areas and found the situation beyond our expectations. Using Danish firearms against them is suicidal.
“They wear full military uniforms. Four of us were slain in their ambush.
“We are trying to retrieve the bodies from the bush to prevent decay, but we have no ammunition. The assailants shoot at sight.
“The government should help us. Help us, Idoma leaders.
“They are besieging our land and slaughtering us like chickens.
They shoot at anyone in their line of sight without provocation. He bemoaned that our land is besieged and we don’t know why.
The attack has also targeted the military.
The coordinated attack by alleged Fulani herders in Agatu cost Operation Whirl Stroke three personnel last week.
OPWS Force Commander Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia described the marauding herders’ invasion of Agatu and the huge cost his troops paid to secure it. He said his troops in Agwu reacted to the huge number of people fleeing Okokolo on Thursday.
He said, “On inquiry, the troops were informed that terrorists suspected to be armed herdsmen were advancing towards the town to attack it.
“The troops mobilised and went to the community 15 kilometres from their base.
“The success achieved was, however, at a huge cost, with three of the troops paying the supreme sacrifice to prevent the killing of Okokolo residents and the intent to sack the community.”
Helplessness
In the increasing battle, the community volunteer guards, founded in August 2022 under previous governor Samuel Ortom to improve community security, feel helpless.
A dissatisfied guard member said the government is not supporting and caring for them.
The guard member advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to put politics aside and help his people.
He begged, “This is not the time for politics. The governor ignores and undersupports us. This conflict goes beyond the police and soldiers, therefore we expected more from him.
We live in these communities. We know each corner and can help other security agencies in our own manner.
“If this continues, you might wake up to find Fulani herdsmen taking over Idoma land.”
Last week, Senate Minority Leader and Benue South Senatorial District senator Comrade Abba Patrick Moro presented a resolution on ongoing attacks on Benue South villages and appealed for immediate Senate intervention, concerned about the escalating situation.
Senator Moro’s motion denounced armed bandits’ repeated attacks on his constituents without a single security arrest.
He recalled the Thursday, January 18, 2024, unjustified and brutal attack on the Okokolo, Abuge, and Ocholonya communities of Agatu Local Government Area, which claimed many lives and destroyed hundreds of millions of naira in livelihoods.
Idoma Association USA, a sociocultural organisation, has aggressively criticised the state and federal administrations for ignoring Idoma land’s upheaval.
Edwin Ochai, the group’s president, called on Idoma leaders to resist and challenge Benue’s war of attrition during a recent news conference.
He stated, “It is unacceptable that our people are defenceless, homes destroyed, and farm produce decimated.
We encourage the Federal Government of Nigeria to act quickly and decisively to cease these inhuman attacks that have turned our land into a killing ground.
“Justice and safety for Idoma residents must be prioritised.
We urge our members to raise awareness, mobilise resources, and advocate to ensure that victims’ voices are heard and meaningful remedies are enacted.’
OPWS Force Commander Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia responded to the assertion that security forces are not on the ground by saying an operation is underway to pursue the marauders.
He added the OPWS will protect lives and property in the Force Joint Operations Area as directed by the Chief of Defence Staff.
