Benue State is in the grip of a dire crisis as over 200 villages are under relentless attack by heavily armed herdsmen, often disguised in military gear.
Over the past three months, the toll has been devastating, with reports suggesting that over 500 lives have been lost in three local government areas within Benue South Senatorial District, known as Idoma land.
Reports indicate that marauders are not only killing locals but also burning homes and leaving many residents missing.
Agatu, once enjoying relative peace, is now covered in bloodshed, spreading to neighboring communities and LGAs like Apa and Otukpo. Several communities in Agatu, including Ogwumogbo, Ikpele, and Okokolo, have been decimated, with numerous lives lost.
The situation has left residents feeling helpless, with limited resources to defend themselves. Despite the valiant efforts of local youths, armed with basic weapons like dane guns, they face adversaries equipped with sophisticated firearms like AK47s and MG3s.
Security personnel are notably absent from the affected areas, leaving villagers vulnerable to attacks. Even when encountered, some security personnel have reportedly failed to provide adequate protection, warning against retaliatory actions instead.
A local vigilante told DAILY POST, “We, the youths from Ohimini and Ugboju, came here to help our brothers and sisters, but things turned out really tough.
“The security people who were supposed to protect us didn’t do a good job.
“When we got here, one of them warned us that if we shoot without caution, they would take away our guns.
“We only have dane guns, also called ‘shakabula’, with 10 rounds of ammunition.
“But when we went into the forest, things were much harder than we thought. The enemies we faced were too difficult to handle, and we had to retreat.”