• 150 killed, billions lost in over 20 attacks in 2024
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
•Some of the displaced elderly men and youths
Despite several efforts made by the Benue State government to curb insecurity in the state, gunmen in the guise of herdsmen militia, kidnappers and bandits have continued to have a field day, spreading terror and maiming residents of the state.
•Deputy Governor Sam Ode addressing victims of banditry
Between January and March, 2024, our correspondent reports that Benue state has recorded over 20 attacks with close to 150 deaths and property with billions of naira destroyed.
Residents across the state, especially those living in Agatu, Apa, Otukpo, Ogbadibo, Logo, Ukum, Kwande and Guma LGAs, to mention a few, have been groaning under the attacks by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen militia with thousands of people displaced and many villages deserted.
•Displaced villagers of Wandoo
Our findings show that most villages have been attacked severally to the point that no one is left behind, while recently harvested food items are also destroyed, a situation many said would heighten food shortage and hunger across the country.
The findings further show that villagers have fled their homes to take shelter in other relatively safe communities. It was also observed, painfully that those who tried to get home to get food to survive in their hideouts were ambushed and killed, while their food stuff is burnt or destroyed by the terrorists.
•Truckload of yams razed and owner killed by suspected herdsmen militia
A cursory look at the events shows that on January 9, 2024, villagers in Arufu, Chembe and Mchia communities of Logo LGA, of the state fled their homes after gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen militia invaded their communities and killed seven people
It was said that the gunmen launched attacks twice in the council area, first on a commercial vehicle between Arufu and Chembe villages where they shot at passengers before they later invaded Mchia community in the night and killed seven people.
On January 13, 2024, the first Caretaker Chairman of Ukum LGA, Rev. Gideon Haanongo, was abducted alongside his Special Assistant, Mr. Silas Yuhwam, his driver and police orderly, around Anyagba, Tongov Katsina-Ala LGA on their way to the funeral of late Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Benjamin Wombo. His kidnappers demanded the sum of N50 million as ransom before he would be released.
It was also reported that rival militia gangs suspected to be from Mbayongo Council Ward where the late kingpin, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana, hailed from, carried out coordinated serial attacks on parts of Mbatyula Council Ward in Katsina-Ala. They killed nine persons and burnt houses.
The assaults was said to started from January 6, and lasted till January 17, 2024. Atumbe, Kur Hile, and Ayom settlements in Mbatyula ward were attacked and houses burnt.
On January 18, about four persons, including two security personnel, were reportedly killed in a fresh attack by suspected herdsmen militia in Okokolo Ward, Agatu LGA.
While several people were injured and left in critical conditions, hundreds of villagers were displaced. There was also intelligence report that the militia herdsmen bearing sophisticated weapons had crossed into other villages.
The lawmaker representing Agatu State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Edoh, had described Agatu attacks as a perennial occurrence as he said villages like Ocholonya, Ugboju K’ Ugbe, Olegomakwu, Olegonyilo, Nahem, in Agatu had no single person at home while all the women and children in Abugbe, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Olegobidu have fled.
On January 23, herdsmen, again, attacked two Agatu commuties – Ikpele and Okpokpolo and killed two villagers, a week after herdsmen also killed five persons, including two soldiers, a personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) and two other persons in Agatu.
In the same Agatu, on January 31, 2024, herdsmen militia attacked Ugboju community and killed over 15 people while many others were declared missing.
In January alone, Benue had six reported attacks with others not reported.
By February 3, 2024 armed herdsmen continued their onslaught, invaded and attacked two Benue communities, Iwili, in Umogidi Ward and Entekpa community all in Adoka District of Otukpo LGA. Ten persons were killed.
On February 8, 2024, suspected herdsmen militia, again attacked Umogidi community of Entekpa Ward in Adoka District of Otukpo LGA and killed two people.
The fresh attacks came two days after attacks claimed 17 lives in three affected communities of Iwili, Umogidi and Opaha in same Entekpa Ward of Adoka district in Otukpo LGA.
On February 14, 2024, armed herdsmen also invaded Imana village in Ikobi Council Ward, of Apa LGA and killed four persons. And on February 19, 2024, herdsmen militia attacked Ikobi community in same Apa LGA, killing one person who had just returned from Lagos to see his widowed mother.
Some months earlier, gunmen described as herdsmen had killed his father, a police officer. They also injured one other person.
By this time, it had become clear that the herdsmen militia had declared war on the state as they invaded the villages with sophisticated weapons, killed and ran back into hiding. Those who thronged the state with their cattle boldly began to graze openly even in people’s farms and compounds, destroying farms and crops both on the farms and in the barns.
Worried by the trend, a Benue state Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Hyacinth Alia, was convened in Government House Makurdi on February 20, 2024.
At the end of the meeting, the council, in a communiqué, gave an ultimatum to armed herders and invaders to immediately leave Benue State or face arrests and prosecution.
They said the ultimatum was part of the non-kinetic efforts of Benue State Government to find lasting peace in the state, following influx of armed herders in the communities in the state.
The meeting pointed out that the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 (Anti Open Grazing Law) is still in force and warned armed herders and invaders to immediately leave the state. Those who allegedly invited the armed herders and invaders were also cautioned to immediately desist from such act while a seven-man committee was set up to ensure the enforcement of the two-week ultimatum with effect from 21st February, 2024.
Our correspondent gathered that within the 14 days allowed for them to pull out of Benue, some of the herdsmen began to leave with their cattle while the herdsmen militia carried out more onslaughts on Benue communities.
On Sunday, March 2, 2024, gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen attacked soldiers deployed to secure and keep peace in Ochumekwu, in Apa LGA of the state. They killed one personnel and injured one other.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS), Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia who confirmed the incident said the troops in response killed three of the armed attackers and injured several of them. They also recovered one AK47 and several rounds of ammunition from them.
The following day, March 3, 2024, herdsmen attacked and killed innocent farmers of Udedeku community of Maav-Ya, Mkoonmom district of Mbaikyor Council Ward, Turan Jato-Aka in Kwande LGA of the state. No figure was given as villagers said they had no way of knowing since the dead were yet to be recovered.
Again, March 4, 2024, suspected herdsmen further launched an attack on Ukpogo and Odugbo communities of Apa LGA and killed two persons. Two persons were also said to be missing.
While the herdsmen carried out their mayhem, on March 5, gunmen suspected to be local rival bandits and cult groups, in a supremacy fight, assisted by herdsmen militia, hacked to death over 45 persons, including a family of seven, in Gbagir community and other places in Ukum LGA of the state.
It was reported that while about 12 innocent farmers were caught in the crossfire, over 30 persons were injured with many others reportedly missing.
To further mitigate the security challenges in the state, on March 6, 2024, after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum, the Benue State government ordered security agencies in the state to commence full implementation of the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017).
Governor Alia, through the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, a lawyer, explained that the State Security Council met and discussed issues bordering on the influx of herders in the state with an ultimatum given to the herders to go back if they were not willing to respect the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017) in the state.
He charged the security agencies to swing into action and ensure the state is safe for all, adding that those caught carrying weapons and violating the law would be treated as dangerous criminals.
But in what looks like an affront, less than 24 hours after the directives on security agencies to implement the anti open grazing law, suspected armed herdsmen militia launched an attack on a community, Wandoo, Mbakyor in Mbalom, Gwer-East LGA, killing over 16 persons including a retired soldier and burnt houses numbering over 30.
On the said day, Thursday, March 7, 2024, beginning from 7pm, in an attack that lasted for about three hours without challenge, locals from the area narrated that about 11 settlements were burnt down including Tse- Agernor, Tse- Najime,Tse- Wandor, Wandor market square, Tse-Ate, Tse-Anyol, Tse- Abagi, Tse-Ifian, Tse- Ukombor, Tse- Girgi Akwaya, Tse- Tion Ukpa and Tse- Abuur.
They also gave the names of some of the victims as Peter Tion, Nyityo Kyoon, Iorfa Ukombor, Doopinen Awua, Tyoshaa Mkaanem, Asan Ate, Asough Ate, Terzungwe Asoo Ate and MWO Mbatsavbun Gbatar (rtd).
Others, according to them, were John Tyohemba, Tertsea Ukombor, Akuma Kpenge, Abume Kpenge, Igba Byuan, Master Ter Byuan, Terzungwe Aulugh and a little boy whose name was not given.
After Wandoo, the dare devils visited four villages in Apa LGA again, Akpete, Ijaha, Ochumekwu and Inyapu and killed more than 15 person in three consecutive days.
They attacked some communities in Ukembregya Tswarev ward of Logo and killed seven persons in cold blood.
Lamenting the predicament of people in Apa Local Government Area, (LGA), Chairman, Apa Development Association, (ADA), Eche Akpoko, a lawyer, said the attacks in the area had become routine.
“It’s very alarming and the government is doing very little about it. The thing didn’t just start now it didn’t start yesterday and government cannot find a permanent solution to this. On daily basis people are being killed, people are being maimed, women are being raped, children are being massacred. For how long can this continue?”
Akpoko noted that members of the military are doing their best but appear to be overwhelmed by the situation. He said despite the attacks in the area, there is no designated IDP camp that government is taking care of.
“People just group themselves, particularly those that do not have relatives that can accommodate them as they are being chased away from their villages. They sleep anywhere in the open space, under tree or anywhere they can lay their heads.
“These attackers are around the place – in the bush, in the forest and they strike anytime they want. It’s very sad. The people have almost abandoned all the villages and they are now roaming around at the LG headquarters with no places to lay their head, no food, almost living a very hopeless life,” he said.
The attacks, especially in Wandoo, irked the Benue people, with several groups, organizations and individuals condemning the act and calling on both state and federal government to be active to their responsibility of securing the lives and property of Benue people.
One of such organisations was the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Masev Development Association (MDA).
The Association’s President General worldwide, Prof. Vearumun Tarhule, in a statement, expressed shock over the brutal murder of dozens of Masev people and the destruction of over 50 houses by suspected herdsmen in Wandor, Mbaikyor, in the Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer Local Government Area of the state.
He said he was bewildered at the continuous vulnerability of innocent citizens to attacks by bandits, regretting that the repeated calls to the authorities for the protection of people’s lives and property have, quite sadly, gone unheeded. He further lamented the systematic targeting of ethnic nationalities and the decimation of Nigerians, especially the Tiv people, over the past two decades, with a call on the federal, state, and local government authorities to fulfil their statutory and constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding lives and property at all times and in all places.
Tarhule appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), local government authorities, corporate organisations, and well-meaning individuals to provide assistance to the devastated, traumatized, and IDPs in Wandor, Mbaikyor.
Tarhule, who noted that the latest was the third attack by herdsmen militia in the Mbalom community, expressed hope that adequate security would be mobilised and deployed to the area, and that government would apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to book.
Similar attacks had occurred in 2014 at Agana, Mbatsada, and on April 24th, 2018, when two Catholic Priests; Fr. Joseph Gor, Fr. Felix Tyolaha and 17 parishioners were killed during morning Mass at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish Ayar-Mbalom in Ubuluku Kindred.
He said the recent attack at Wandor, Mbaikyor raised some pressing questions: “When will this end? How can our people sleep with their eyes closed? With the farming season approaching, how will our people return to their farms when their properties are destroyed, and they are displaced? These are the urgent concerns that demand immediate attention and action.”
The House of Representatives member representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Arc. Asema Achado also condemned the attacks in the state, especially the “heinous attack” on his constituents of Wandoo, Mbaikyor in Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer East LGA by armed herdsmen, describing it as brutal, unprovoked, barbaric and unacceptable.
He said the unfortunate attack on the people of Gwer East is one too many, citing similar incidents in Sankera, Kwande and Agatu, where he observed that over 100 people were recently murdered by armed herders.
He expressed worry that aside the continued spate of killings in Benue State, rising cases of kidnapping and displacement of people were already destroying economic activities, a development he feared can lead to widespread hunger and poverty in the coming months.
The last reported case of kidnapping in the state was on March 22, 2024, when gunmen, reportedly hijacked a commercial vehicle in Jootar, Ukum LGA of the state and kidnapped 10 passengers who were travelling from Wukari in Taraba state to Akure, Ondo State.
Achado called for urgent proactive measures to guarantee security and safeguard the lives and property of the people. He stated that Benue State government must enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state, as panacea for the mindless attacks on the people just as he appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and save Benue people from further bloodshed in the hands of the terrorists.
Also condemning the attacks were the All Progressives Congress (APC), and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
While the APC described the attacks as “barbaric”, the PDP lamented that attacks in Gwer, Kwande, Ukum and Logo LGAs in which 16 persons died in one location alone, was devastating.
Describing the attacks as barbaric and unprovoked, the party said the sole intention of perpetrators was violating the ban on open grazing of livestock which is in force in the state. He said if Governor Alia must win the fight against the monstrous and killer herdsmen, he must enlist the support of members of the National Assembly from the state in the all important fight, and also invest the monthly security vote available to his office to provide the much needed logistic and equipment supports to security agencies in the state, including the Benue State Livestock Guards, which is the enforcement arm of the open grazing ban.
President General of Tiv socio-cultural organisation, Mzough U Tiv (MUT), CP Iorbee Ihagh (rtd), lamented that available data shows that the state may have lost about 147 persons to herdsmen militia attacks in the last two months. “But we strongly believe that the number of those killed could be higher, given that there were pockets of deaths across Benue State that may not have been reported.”
Condoling families of victims of Wandoo, Mbalom, Governor Hyacinth Alia assured that his government will not sleep until the armed herders who perpetrated the heinous act and others across the state are caught and brought before the law.
While directing security operatives in the state to go after and apprehend the criminal herders as soon as possible, Alia said: “We gave these criminals orders to leave the state immediately. We also gave ultimatum to those practising open grazing in the state to ensure they comply with the law or leave the state within 14 days.
“That ultimatum has since elapsed. I can see what happened at Wandoo is a calculated attempt to test the resolve of my government over the matter I have already given priority”.
He said criminals under whatsoever guise who found their way into the state should know that the time is up and there is no going back on strict enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017).
After his inauguration in May 2023, Governor Hyacinth Alia had called on all those that are hiding in the bush and causing harm to innocent residents in the state to come out and embrace peace, pledging that his administration would offer them a new lease of life. He said the plea was part of his non-kinetic, carrot approach to ensuring that all hands are on deck for the peace and progress of the state.
He had warned that once the time frame for the carrots approach elapsed, those found wanting would have themselves to blame.
The Benue people are fervently waiting for the results from the Governor’s orders especially in ensuring that peace returns to the state and the people sleep with their two eyes closed.
But the governor has ordered that adequate care be given to those displaced as a result of the recent attacks across the state.
Governor Alia recently led a high powered delegation of government functionaries and security chiefs from different formations within the state on a condolence and assessment visit to Wandoo community.
Governor Alia who was represented by his Deputy, Sam Ode, expressed pain, while assuring the people that his administration was working with security agencies to ensure that such occurrence did not happen again.
“If any person tells you anything else, the person is trying to be mischievous because no father will watch his children being killed by criminal elements and be happy or try to justify it by other words,” he said.
The deputy governor went with relief materials with a pledge that more would come. “We shall continue to support you. We shall continue to uphold you and defend you until you settle down properly. For the people who have lost their lives, we want to assure you that we cannot forget their families.”
Truckloads of assorted relief materials, including mattresses, wrappers, bags of rice, beans, corn, salt, cartoons of noodles, seasoning, palm oil, buckets, detergents and N2 million cash were presented to the displaced persons by the Benue State Government through the SEMA to alleviate their suffering.
To celebrate the 2024 Easter, the State Government through SEMA also donated food and non food materials to the IDPs. Our correspondent gathered that the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, travelled as far as Kwande LGA and other places to reach out the displaced persons.
The Benue police command said it has intensified efforts in fighting crimes with results. Recently, the Operation Zenda JTF, a unit in the police led by SP Felix Nomiyugh, during a gun duel, dislodged some groups of bandits and kidnappers at Kastina – Ala LGA, killed two and arrested one.