A wave of anger and frustration has swept through Otukpo, the heart of the Idoma nation, as residents, predominantly youths, took to the streets on Tuesday, 1 April 2025, to protest the escalating insecurity plaguing their community. The demonstration, which saw protesters block the crucial Otukpo-Enugu federal highway, highlighted the growing fear and desperation among locals over the incessant killings and kidnappings attributed to armed bandits widely called herdsmen. The demonstrating Otukpo youths were led by Comrade Mike Magaji, President of the Ochetoha K’Idoma Youths Wing Worldwide.
The protest coincided with a strong condemnation from Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, who declared “Enough is Enough!” in response to the spiraling violence.
“The people behind these heinous crimes are doing Otukpo, the headquarters of the Idoma nation, a serious disservice,” Senator Moro stated in a press release. “I charge the government at all levels and security agencies to rise up to their constitutional responsibilities and take immediate action to apprehend the perpetrators and put an end to these criminal activities. Nigerians have the right to live and move freely without fear or harassment. The lives and property of the people must be protected at all costs.”
The senator also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the safe return of those abducted.
The protest comes on the heels of a disturbing pattern of violence in Benue State. Just weeks prior, on March 10, a reported attack by suspected herdsmen in Katsina Ala LGA resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including women and children. The gunmen reportedly targeted several communities, including Utange council, Kpav, Dikpo, and the Imande Gberihwa area. In February five hunters were killed by suspected armed herders that invaded the Okpomaju, an occurrence that also drew condemnation from Senator Abba Moro.
The protesters’ current demands for swift and decisive action echoed Senator Moro’s call for government intervention. AkweyaTV learnt that Catherine Anene, the police spokesperson in Benue State, confirmed to TheCable newspaper that security operatives had brought the protest under control. She assured the newspaper that further information would be provided as it became available.
The situation in Otukpo and Benue underscores the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria, whereby security forces fail to protect desperate communities, leading them to self-help measures such as the widely condemned killings in Edo State. It would be recalled that 14 travellers were killed in Uromi, Edo State, because they were armed with dane guns and the community had been crying for many weeks about kidnappings and killings. While this has reignited calls for enhanced security measures and a concerted effort to address the root causes of the violence, others argue that no excuses should be made for extrajudicial killings.
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