Armed Herdsmen Occupy Benue State Highways, Instilling Fear Among Residents

From Our Correspondent

Residents of villages along the Okpokwu to Ogbadibo Local Government Areas in Benue state have expressed deep concerns over the pervasive presence of armed herdsmen in the expansive forests along the Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Otukpa-Orokam highway.

According to locals, these marauders have taken control of the forests, using them as bases for launching brazen attacks and kidnappings on commuters traversing the Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Otukpa-Orokam road without facing any resistance.

Speaking anonymously, a member of the Orokam community and a journalist revealed, “The gang, comprised mainly of Fulani herdsmen, operates with impunity.

He further disclosed that, “Victims kidnapped and later released after ransom payment reported that these criminals wield sophisticated weaponry. They lead their captives on foot through forests for hours, hiding them in various parts of Idoma land, including Ado LGA and Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA, while negotiating ransoms.”

Highlighting the perilous situation, he added, “The Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Otukpa-Orokam highway is now perilous, especially at night. Regrettably, the security agencies seem helpless, failing to take decisive action against these marauders.”

The journalist also emphasized the inadequacy of local vigilantes and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to confront the armed herdsmen due to their possession of automatic weapons, rendering them too formidable for any direct challenge.

Detailing their modus operandi, he said, “They often don military camouflage, setting up roadblocks at night under the guise of security personnel to rob and abduct unsuspecting travelers.”

Another area under the siege of these armed groups is Owukpa, where extensive forests along the Benue-Enugu state border serve as their fortress, instilling fear and helplessness among the locals.

The traditional ruler of Ogbadibo LGA, HRH Chief Emmanuel Odeh, recently decried the dire security situation, highlighting the dominance of armed herdsmen in the vast forests. He lamented the lack of security presence, leaving citizens vulnerable to attacks in the area’s extensive forest cover.

Efforts to reach the Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, for comment on the armed herdsmen issue, remained unsuccessful.