In the wake of nationwide attention given to the Uromi incident in Edo State, where 16 suspected hunters were killed, key stakeholders have expressed deep concern over the lack of similar attention to the persistent and deadly attacks on farming communities in Benue and Plateau States by suspected armed herdsmen. Thousands of victims from these states remain displaced, residing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, unable to return to their ancestral homes.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Recent incidents in Benue include a deadly Christmas Day assault on Anwase community in Kwande Local Government Area (LGA), where over 17 individuals were killed. In another tragic case on January 10, 2025, Mr. Terzungwe Shaku, a respected farmer and businessman in Akor village, Guma LGA, was abducted and later killed by armed herdsmen despite his family paying a N5.5 million ransom.

Further violence was recorded in Otukpo LGA, where at least three people were killed in a confrontation between suspected herdsmen and local hunters. On February 18, 2025, 19 individuals were brutally murdered in Kwande LGA, with 16 corpses found dumped in a river. State lawmaker Thomas Dugeri reported that an estimated five persons are killed daily in the area.

Most recently, on April 3, 2025, an 18-seater Benue Links bus was attacked in Ikobi community, Otukpo LGA. The driver and a passenger were fatally shot, and 13 others abducted.

Concerned leaders have criticized the apparent silence and inaction from the federal government regarding these atrocities, especially in contrast to the swift response to the Uromi killings. They argue that such disparity points to selective justice.

Dr. Bitrus Pogu, President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), condemned the imbalance in national response:

“We mourn every loss of life, be it in Uromi or elsewhere. However, it is alarming how rapidly outrage is triggered by some incidents, while systematic killings in Benue and Plateau go largely ignored. The ongoing killings in places like Agatu, Kwande, and Otukpo are met with indifference.”

Dr. Pogu warned against any threats of reprisal attacks from northern groups and emphasized that the Middle Belt would resist any form of external aggression.

“We reject the notion of selective justice and intimidation. Nigeria belongs to all, and no one group has the right to dominate or threaten others. The law must take its course, and no region should be above accountability.”

Comrade Goodluck Ibem, President-General of the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), echoed the sentiment:

“In Edo, over 14 arrests were made immediately. In Benue, countless lives are lost daily without a single arrest or national outcry. This discrepancy in justice sends a dangerous message.”

He challenged the rationale behind describing the Uromi victims as hunters, questioning the legality of their possession of arms and their presence far from their communities.

“We cannot accept that they were simply hunters. Who authorized them to carry arms and operate in a different state?”

Ibem emphasized that ongoing attacks in Benue contribute to worsening food insecurity, as displaced farmers abandon their land out of fear.

In Plateau State, residents — especially in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs — continue to decry the violence and are demanding urgent federal action.

The Bokkos Concerned Youths group, led by Convener Makut Mashat, called for targeted military operations to flush out the perpetrators believed to be hiding in mountainous regions near Josho in Daffo. They confirmed that the attacks between March 27 and April 2, 2025, claimed over 50 lives, primarily among the Ron ethnic group.

The Irigwe people of Bassa LGA, through their Development Association President, Rev. Daniel Gya, lamented that the killings have escalated from sporadic ambushes to organized assaults using firearms. He warned that the Irigwe are at risk of extinction if the trend continues unchecked.

Ambassador Nanpon Sheni, National President of the Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), strongly condemned the violence and urged security agencies to take decisive action.

“These recurring attacks are intolerable. The Constitution allows for self-defense, and communities must be empowered to protect themselves.”

In response, the Plateau State Government, through Commissioner for Information Joyce Ramnap, reaffirmed its commitment to security. She stated that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration is working closely with security agencies to restore peace.

“We urge citizens to remain calm and report suspicious activities. Important arrests have been made and security presence has been intensified. We are also enhancing surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent further attacks.”