Residents of Benue State are living in fear following a renewed wave of violent attacks allegedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen across several communities.
The crisis has hit Benue South Senatorial District, predominantly the Idoma-speaking region, with devastating impact. Reports indicate that nearly 60 lives have been lost in recent attacks, particularly in Otukpo Local Government Area, while many others have been injured and displaced.
The violence has sparked outrage and protests, as grieving youths stormed the palace of the Och’Idoma, carrying the bodies of victims to express their anger and demand urgent intervention.
Security concerns intensified after the June 26 killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isa. Many residents believe the current attacks may be retaliatory.
In one of the incidents, suspected attackers invaded Akpachi village in Ugboju community, killing two people and injuring several others. Within 24 hours, another assault in Otukpo Nobi community left eight people dead.
Subsequent attacks forced residents of Ondo community in Ugboju to flee their homes, while another invasion in Ankpechi community, Ohimini Local Government Area, saw gunmen shooting sporadically and looting shops.
Confirming the attack in Ohimini, the Local Government Chairman, Gabriel Adole, stated that the assailants stormed the area in the morning, shooting and causing panic among residents.
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Reacting to the ongoing violence, diaspora groups including the Idoma Association in the United States and the Idoma Community United Kingdom (ICUK) have called on the Federal and Benue State governments to take decisive action.
They described the killings as a prolonged campaign of violence against the Idoma people and urged authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the attacks. One protester, who lost her sister and two children, lamented the government’s inaction, saying, “It feels like we have been abandoned to our fate.”
Another resident recounted how a fleeing mother lost her infant during the chaos, while a young child and an elderly community leader were also among the victims.
Many locals have criticized political leaders for their perceived silence, accusing them of failing to respond with the urgency shown in previous incidents.
As tensions rise and displacement worsens, residents continue to call for immediate security intervention to prevent further loss of lives and restore peace in the affected communities.
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