By Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani
On August 31, 2024, the peaceful Christian settlement of Dyom in Ukum County, Benue North East, came under a sudden and brutal attack by hundreds of Fulani ethnic militiamen. The terrorists sought to unleash a genocidal assault, reminiscent of the horrific massacre in the Ayati settlement in Northeast Benue State that claimed 72 lives and displaced more than 35,000 residents.
For more than a decade, radicalized Islamist militia speaking the Fula language of the Fulani tribe have attempted to infiltrate and take over the lush-pasture farmlands of Benue State, often called the bread basket of Nigeria. As the Fulani terrorists descended upon Dyom, cutting down residents with machetes, burning homes, and shooting indiscriminately, a brave group of 15 young men, led by Gbugh (“BuG”) Kusugh, armed with locally fabricated rifles, fearlessly confronted the attackers, determined to protect their community.
Civilian Guards Actions Repel Fulani Terrorist Attacks, Kill 3
Martin Shapeera, a native of Dyom who witnessed the carnage, recounts the heroic resistance: “The 15 young men led by Gbugh Kusugh, armed with locally fabricated rifles (Dane guns), confronted the Fulani terrorists. Initially, the Fulanis were shocked to see that the residents, who were always docile, were now fighting back.”
Shapeera continued, “The Fulanis, numbering around 300 and armed with AK-49s, intensified their attack, but Kusugh and his men stood their ground. Kusugh, while shooting back at the Fulanis, urged his men and the residents to fight back.”
After a fierce battle lasting over two hours, the Fulani attackers retreated, leaving behind three dead and several wounded.
Tragedy Strikes: Civilian Guard Leader Ambushed and Killed
The victory celebration in Dyom was short-lived, as the leader of the civilian guards, Gbugh Kusugh, was ambushed and killed by Fulani terrorists while pursuing them.
According to Martin Shapeera, “Kusugh was chasing the terrorists when they laid an ambush for him. After exchanging gunfire, Kusugh ran out of bullets and was butchered with knives. The terrorists took his head and fled.”
The actions of the civilian guards had saved Dyom from being torched by Fulani terrorists.
Civilian Guards’ Past Interventions
Due to the Federal Government’s failure to stop the persistent attacks on Ukum County communities, young men have formed volunteer forces or civilian guards to protect their lands. Theophilus Ayati, an aide to Benue State Governor Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia, acknowledged the civilian guards’ role in expelling Fulani terrorists from Borikyo, an Ayati settlement, months earlier.
“Fulani herders were taking over our lands, destroying crops, and the Federal Government did nothing,” Ayati said. “So, civilian guards took action, burning the herders’ huts and chasing them away.”
Despite this, Ayati noted that the Federal Government only sent 12 Mobile Police Force personnel to protect the community, which failed to prevent the Fulani terrorists from launching a reprisal attack. He suggested that the Fulani attacks on Ayati might be reprisals for their expulsion from Borikyo by the civilian guards.
“We Repelled Fulani Terrorists, Killing Many” – Ochoche Ebekwu Stephen, Egwuma Youth
After attacking and burning down several Riverine communities in Western Agatu County, including their churches, without any military intervention to stop the killings, the young men in Agatu communities decided it was time to protect their communities.
“Since Fulani jihadists turned their attention to the Egwuma community, they have unleashed mayhem, ambushing and killing farmers, attempting to overrun the community to gain access to upper villages,” said Ademu Zephaniah, a community leader in Agatu, told TruthNigeria
They have attacked Egwuma four times this year, killing 12 people and burning down over 56 houses. These attacks occurred on Sundays, targeting Christians attending church services. Since the Nigerian military has done nothing to stop them, we have decided to use whatever we have in our possession to stop them.”
The Egwuma Community Civilian Guards, composed of young men aged 15-36, armed with daggers, cutlasses, and cudgels, have fought Fulani ethnic militiamen to protect their communities, achieving successes at a stiff price.
“The Fulani attacks took place on Sunday, July 14, 2024, and Sunday, August 11, 2024. The first attack caught the community off guard, resulting in significant loss of life and property,” according to Ocheche Ebekwu Stephen, a native of the Egwuma community in Agatu.
However, the community was better prepared for the second attack, thanks to intelligence gathering, Stephen said.
“As the terrorists approached from Kogi and Nasarawa states, our youths climbed trees to alert us. We laid ambush and engaged them in a fight, killing many terrorists and seizing 95 motorcycles. Unfortunately, we lost one youth, Echechofu Audu, and 56 houses were burned.”
He added, “The terrorists regrouped, took their corpses, and retreated. Our youths ran short of ammunition and retreated to the Ogwule-Kaduna community
Commander of Benue Volunteer and Community Security Guards Speaks to TruthNigeria
In an exclusive interview with TruthNigeria, Mr. Williams Agada, Zonal Commander of the Benue Volunteer and Community Security Guards, discussed the activities of the civilian guards. Agada, who oversees Benue South, including Agatu, Otukpo, Otukpa, and Adoka, explained that due to pervasive terrorist attacks in Benue and the Nigerian military’s limited reach in hinterland communities, the Benue State Government created the security outfit to combat insecurity, particularly Fulani terrorist threats.
Agada clarified the connection between the Agatu Civilian Security Guards and the Benue Volunteer and Community Security Guards. “The Benue State Government trained some individuals in self- and community defense and provided them with specific guns. There are also volunteer guards who are not yet trained by the Benue State security team; they carry locally fabricated guns. Eventually, they will be incorporated into our organization.”
Agada confirmed the killing of Fulani terrorists by civil guards in Agatu. “My men were among those who repelled the Fulani Ethnic Militia that attacked Egwuma. We had intelligence reports of the terrorists massing from Kogi, so we prepared and confronted them, killing many. Since then, they have not attacked Egwuma again.”
Agada emphasized the synergy between the volunteer forces and the Nigerian Army. “If we receive intelligence reports of impending attacks, we contact the Army, and they respond. If the Army is far away and cannot respond, we swing into action immediately.” He also acknowledged that the initial action taken by civilian guards to eject Fulanis from Borikyo was taken by the Benue State security guards.
Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
