U.S.-based NGO covers burial and medical bills as local leaders warn of persistent militia attacks and security failures.
By Ekani Olikita
OTUKPO, Nigeria — The Idoma community in the United States is appealing to President Donald Trump and members of the U.S. Congress after 16 Christians were buried in a mass grave following a deadly attack in Benue State, part of Nigeria’s violence‑stricken Middle Belt region. The diaspora group says persistent killings by armed militia and repeated failures in early‑warning response systems have left farming communities vulnerable, prompting calls for international attention and stronger protection for civilians.
The resolution was adopted at the association’s 30th Annual Convention in Virginia Beach, Virginia, amid growing concerns over recurring attacks attributed by local communities to armed Fulani militia.
Credit: Och’Idoma Archive.
The association said it would submit a position paper to President Trump and seek an opportunity for the Paramount King of the Idoma Kingdom (Och’Idoma V), His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu John Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji, to brief relevant members and committees of the U.S. Congress.
The move comes as 16 Christian victims of the July 28 attack on Efeyi-Utikpi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo County (Local Government Area) were buried in a mass grave on Saturday, August 8.
Idoma is the second largest Ethnic group in Nigeria Central Benue State and occupies the 9 counties in Benue South. The people are majorly farmers and predominantly Christians (95% Christians mostly Catholic)
Fourteen victims were reportedly killed during the early-morning attack by armed Fulani Jihadists, while two others later died from injuries sustained in the assault, bringing the death toll to 16.
IAUSA expressed grave concern over what it described as persistent insecurity, killings and displacement in Benue South, calling for stronger and sustained action by Nigerian authorities.
The association also called for closer cooperation among traditional rulers, government, diaspora organisations, civil society and local communities to protect lives and restore peace.
‘Our Plight Must Be Heard Around the World’– Idoma Youth Leader
Mike Magaji, President of the Idoma Youths, welcomed the diaspora initiative, describing it as timely.
“The plan to take our plight to the world stage is right and timely. It is the stand of the entire Idoma worldwide. Our people are being killed daily while the government looks hapless and helpless,” Magaji told TruthNigeria.
16 Victims Buried Amid Tears
Credit: Blessing Media.
At Efeyi-Utikpi, grief overwhelmed the community as relatives and residents gathered for the mass burial.
Mourners wept uncontrollably, with some relatives reportedly throwing themselves to the ground and crying out for divine intervention as the 16 bodies were lowered into the grave.
The killings have intensified concerns about the ability of security agencies to prevent attacks despite warnings from community leaders and political representatives.
Lady Blessing Onuh, the Federal Lawmaker representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, said she had raised concerns before the attacks.
“Before Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Utikpi attacks, I raised alarm at the House plenary of imminent attacks. I warned the government and security agencies, but no action was taken to thwart the preventable attacks and killings,” Lady Blessing told TruthNigeria.
The allegation underscores longstanding concerns about gaps between early-warning information and rapid security response. Nigeria has been working to strengthen early-warning and early-response mechanisms in Benue, but attacks continue to expose weaknesses in prevention and rapid deployment.
‘Enough of Lamentation’– Former Lawmaker
Francis Ottah Agbo, a former federal lawmaker representing Enone Federal Constituency and Benue South Senatorial Candidate, said authorities must adopt more aggressive measures to stop the killings.
“Let’s go beyond lamentation, hire foreign mercenaries to join our local volunteer guards to fight the Fulani terrorists. It seems the government security forces are overwhelmed,” Francis Ottah told TruthNigeria.
Security Expert Calls for Stronger Early Response
Pablo Agada, Benue South Commander of Benue State Civil Protection Guards and a Counterterrorism Expert, has previously argued that the scale, frequency and organisation of attacks in Benue warrant a counter-terrorism response rather than treatment merely as farmer-herder clashes.
“What we are witnessing in Benue State today goes beyond farmer-herder communal clashes. It works like terrorism, it talks like terrorism, and it kills like terrorism and therefore, it is terrorism,”
“The recurring pattern shows that early warning is useless if it is not followed by early response. Security agencies need actionable intelligence, rapid-response units, persistent surveillance and stronger protection for vulnerable Christian farming communities before Fulani attackers strike,” Agada told TruthNigeria
U.S. NGO Pays Burial, Medical Bills
Credit: ETP.
As families struggled with the aftermath of the attack, U.S.-based nonprofit Equipping the Persecuted (ETP) intervened by covering burial expenses, paying medical bills and providing relief materials to affected families.
Andy Nomsoor, an ETP representative, said the organisation acted on the directive of its founder, Judd Saul and information officer Franc Utoo, a Benue native based in Oklahoma.
“We are here on the directive of the Founder of ETP, Judd Saul and the Information Officer, Franc Utoo, to identify with the relatives of the deceased and pay for the burial expenses. I have already visited and paid the hospital bills of surviving victims,” Andy told TruthNigeria.
The intervention highlights the growing role of diaspora organisations and U.S.-based humanitarian groups in responding to victims of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
For the Idoma diaspora, however, the latest diplomatic initiative is intended to go beyond humanitarian relief by drawing international attention to what it regards as a prolonged security crisis requiring stronger protection of civilian populations.
Ekani Olikita is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
