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By Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani
(Makurdi) — Farmers in Benue State are pleading for security assistance after waves of Islamist terrorist attacks in Zone C of Benue, and particularly Otukpo County.
Outspoken Catholic Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who leads the diocese in Makurdi, has done a speaking tour in the United States and the United Kingdom charging that the attacks illustrate a longstanding war on Christians leading to Islamization of the state.
At least 3,000 Fulani terrorists have invaded Otukpo since December 2024, establishing multiple camps in key forested areas, according to William Agada Pablo, Commander of the Benue Civil Defense Guard in charge of Otukpo. Speaking to TruthNigeria, Pablo detailed the dire security situation gripping the region.
“From our investigation, the terrorists have set up camps in Ohimini Forest, Ojantele, Ojali, Akpa-Otobi, and the forest near Adoka Road,” Pablo said.
“These camps are known to the military. It is from these bases that they launch their attacks and hold their kidnapped victims. I have lost 12 of my men in the battlefields due to the superior power of the terrorists, and no assistance has been rendered to the families of the deceased.”
Zone C, also referred to as “Benue South,” defines the region occupied by the Idoma ethnic nationality of Benue. The region is home to the Idoma people, the second-largest ethnic group in Benue State. It includes nine counties (local government areas): Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, Otukpo, Adoh, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo, Oju, and Obi. Otukpo is acknowledged as the ancestral headquarters.
Otukpo county is located 171 miles (276 km) South of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, and 63 miles (102 km) Southwest of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The Idoma people, 2.9 million strong, are chiefly Catholics and Methodists, according to David Onyilokwu Idah of the International Human Rights Commission.
Wave of Kidnappings and Killings
The crisis has intensified over the past few months.
“We have documented more than 80 kidnappings between December 2024 and March 2025,” according to David Ijachi, a community leader and elder in the Methodist church in Otukpo.
“At least 100 people have been killed by Fulani terrorists. The kidnapping of Idoma people has become a daily occurrence,” Ijaji told TruthNigeria.
Beyond abductions and killings, women and girls have been subjected to horrific sexual violence.
“If our girls or women go to the farms, the Fulani will seize them and rape them,” Ijachi stated grimly. “As a result, we have stopped allowing our women to go to the farms altogether.”
20,000 Farmers Displaced; Land Seized
The relentless violence has driven tens of thousands from their homes.
“More than 20,000 farmers from Asa, Ojantele, Upu, Otukpo-Icho, Okpomaju, and other areas have fled their ancestral lands,” Ijachi reported. “Fulani terrorists have taken over abandoned farmlands and are now grazing their livestock on them.”
Bus Hijacked
The latest incident was the hijacking of a Benue Links bus on Thursday, April 3, 2025, carrying 14 Christian passengers. The driver, Samuel Agege, was killed at Burnt Bricks Junction in Otukpo County.
Although the kidnapped passengers were rescued on Friday, April 4, 2025, two of the passengers were found slashed with machetes. One of them, Abraham Sunday, died.
Military Accused of Inaction and Brutality
Residents of Benue South say they are caught between deadly attacks by Fulani militants and alleged abuses by the Nigerian military.
“We are not really comfortable with the Nigerian military,” said David Adaji, a community leader in Otukpo. “They are not going after the terrorists, and yet they are harsh and wicked on civilians.”
On April 6, 2025, soldiers from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), the joint military task force in Benue State, allegedly abducted and killed Ernest Owoicho, a youth leader from Apa County, according to Adaji.
“A cursory look at Owoicho’s corpse shows he was tortured to death for reasons best known to the military,” Adaji alleged.
Owoicho, an orphan, leaves behind two young sons. “We don’t know why the military abducted and killed him,” Adaji added.
Adaji further noted that the military did not provide any reason for his abduction or death.
“However, you can be rest assured that this may not be the last incident of military brutality on residents of Zone C. Instead of killing terrorists, they kill innocent people,” Adaji said.
Lawmaker Condemns Extrajudicial Killing, Calls for Investigation
Pastor Ojotu Ojema, a federal lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Constituency, visited the military base in Ugbokpo, Apa County, to demand an explanation as to why Owoicho was murdered.
“There are several civil ways of investigating a case other than torture, especially in a democracy. The gruesome murder of this young man is highly condemnable, and the culprits won’t go unpunished,” Ojema said.
Family of the Deceased Speaks Out
A relative of Owoicho, Peter Ibrama, described him as a “gentle and jovial young man.” He said the family was shocked to receive only his corpse after his arrest.
“Owoicho went out to buy bread because he was hungry, but the military abducted him on his way home. He begged to eat before they took him, but they refused. He was tortured to death. His killers must be brought to justice,” Ibrama said.
Protests Erupt in Apa County
The killing sparked protests in Apa County, where Christian youths blocked the Otukpo-Apa-Agatu-Loko Federal Road, burning tires in anger. The killing of Owoicho has intensified suspicions that the military is collaborating with Fulani militants.
“Why haven’t security forces arrested any Fulani terrorists and kidnappers despite years of attacks on our people?” asked Francis Enogela, a youth leader from Ikobi in Apa County.
“I have never seen any Fulani terrorist arrested or killed by the military since the insecurity began in 2013. But the same security forces are molesting and killing our people,” Enogela added.
Mike Odeh James and Olikita Ekani are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria.
