As Benue State grapples with being the nation's food basket, a profound crisis has gripped its core. Heavily armed herdsmen, reportedly donning military camouflage, have targeted residents in over 200 villages on a daily basis, creating a staggering toll of over 500 lives lost within three local government areas—Agatu, Otukpo, and Apa—in Benue South Senatorial District.
DAILY POST's comprehensive investigation reveals the brutality of the attacks, with marauders butchering locals, leaving homes in ruins, and numerous residents missing.
The bloodbath has returned to Agatu, once a haven of relative peace, now ravaged and extending to neighboring communities like Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, Ejima, Okokolo, Olegomakwu, Olegonyilo, Nahem, Ocholonya, Abugbe, Ugboju, Odugbeho, and Olegobidu. What started as a flicker of unrest in Agatu has escalated into a full-blown war, reaching villages like Umogidi and Entekpa areas of Adoka in Otukpo.
The crisis unfolds with alarming intensity, as a local source reveals over 700 armed men surrounding Otukpo, Apa, and Agatu villages, with no security personnel in sight to challenge them. Despite valiant efforts by Idoma youths from Ohimini who volunteered to defend their ancestral homes, they face formidable adversaries armed with sophisticated weapons like MG3, Heckler & Koch G3, AK47, and more.
Villagers bemoan the scarcity of security personnel, with reports of encounters where, instead of protection, warnings against retaliatory actions were issued. A local vigilante recounts a tough encounter, stating, "The enemies we faced were too difficult to handle, and we had to retreat."
In a circulated video, a volunteer on the battlefield reveals the attackers' mission to erase the Idoma community from the map of Nigeria. The attackers, clad in military uniforms, have inflicted casualties on the defenders, leading to an urgent plea for government intervention.
The military, too, has suffered losses, with Operation Whirl Stroke losing three members in a coordinated attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Agatu. The Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, details the troops' sacrifices to secure Agatu, emphasizing the significant cost paid to prevent further tragedy.
2022 under former governor Samuel Ortom's leadership, find themselves grappling with helplessness. A guard member criticizes the lack of support from the current government, urging Governor Hyacinth Alia to set aside politics and rescue his people.
Senator Abba Patrick Moro has moved a motion in the senate, decrying the persistent attacks on Benue South communities. He cites unprovoked and ruthless attacks on Okokolo, Abuge, and Ocholonya communities of Agatu, urging swift intervention.
Meanwhile, the Idoma Association USA condemns both state and federal governments for standing idly by, calling for resistance and confrontation against what they describe as a war of attrition in Benue. The president, Edwin Ochai, urges leaders to prioritize the safety and well-being of Idoma citizens, emphasizing the need for immediate government action.
As the crisis deepens, the OPWS Force Commander assures ongoing operations to track the marauders and fulfill the mandate to secure lives and properties in the Force Joint Operations Area. This detailed exploration sheds light on the multifaceted aspects of the unfolding tragedy in Benue.
