Benue Insecurity: Idoma Women Call for Urgent Steps by Government

The Idoma Women and Wives Association (IDWA) has condemned the incessant armed attacks on the people of Benue South zone, and called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take urgent steps in ending the menace. Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja today (28th February, 2024), the President of the Association, Dr. (Mrs.) Sarah Ogah-Aduwari mni in an emotion laden voice decried the rising curve of the menace of insecurity and called on Government to establish more security presence in the zone. She insisted that the people of zone have endured the unwarranted onslaught for too long, and that time is now to foster permanent measures to end the menace. She further urged for greater cooperation between the people of the zone and security forces in the bid to collectively combat the menace. While responding to questions, the Public Relations Officer of the Association Mrs. Rosemary Onyema Obaka disclosed that the Association will be cascading the engagement to the state and grass roots in order to galvanize the participation of the traditional rulers, religious leaders, elders, rural women, youths and citizens of the zone in community security management.

The event which held at Utako District of Abuja was attended by delegates of the Association from across the zones of the country, and was aimed at drawing the attention of the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to the plight of Benue South District.

The statement reads in full:
Good morning, gentlemen of the press. we warmly welcome you to this press conference.

Over the years, Benue State has been known as the “Food Basket of the Nation”. The predominantly agrarian population and fertile lands in the Benue State have contributed greatly in ensuring food security in Nigeria. This trend has unfortunately been reversed by pervasive insecurity that has enveloped the state in recent years, especially in the Benue South Senatorial District that is home to Idoma people.

Suspected armed herdsmen have been invading Idomaland on consistent basis. This has led to death of thousands of Idoma people and destruction of property worth billions of Naira. Parts of Agatu, Apa, Otukpo and Okpokwu local government areas have been devasted by these armed groups. Many families have been displaced, and the people have fled their ancestral homes to take refuge in IDP camps. The crops our people have harvested have been destroyed by these suspected armed herdsmen and hunger has become the companion of peace-loving people. Our people have lost their sole means of livelihood as they can no longer go to their farms due to the pervasive insecurity occasioned by these armed attackers. Many of our settlements have been deserted because the people cannot sleep with their two eyes closed for fear of persistent attacks of these armed marauders.

As responsible daughters and wives of Idoma nation united under the umbrella of Idoma Daughters and Wives Association (IDWA), we are constrained to raise our voice and draw attention of the world to the agony of our people. As mothers, our hearts continue to ache as we continue witnessing the wanton destruction of lives and the hardships our people are going through, especially in these challenging times in our nation’s history.

While we acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the state government and security agencies in restoring peace in some parts of Idoma land, we call for more intensified and coordinated actions from federal and state governments that will restore lasting peace to our land.
Idoma Daughters and Wives Association wishes to use this forum to call on the federal and state governments to collaborate with relevant agencies and organizations to address the plight of our people by:

Arresting the ugly trend of armed criminality that has made life unbearable in Idomaland.
Establishing an army barracks in the Apa/Agatu axis of Idoma land.
Considering establishing State Police to promote community policing for efficiency and effectiveness.
Urgently addressing the growing suffering of the displaced families, and facilitate their return to their ancestral homes.

Increasing food and medical supplies to areas where displaced people seek safety, especially in the IDP camps.

We further urge for greater cooperation between our people and security agencies to effectively tackle and end the menace.

Thank you for your attention and may God bless the Idoma nation