Mass burial for 15 victims of Benue attack as farmers deal with bandits' demands

Fifteen people who were killed in Efeyi-Utikpi, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, have been buried together. This happened during a time of sadness and new calls for better security in the rural areas of the state.

The victims, which included women and children, were killed on 28 July when suspected armed herders attacked their farming community in the Ugboju District.

According to AIT, which covered the mass burial on Sunday, residents gathered in Efeyi-Utikpi to say their final goodbyes to the victims. This burial came a few weeks after another attack in the same local government area.

The report stated that the attack caused destruction to homes and left residents in shock. Community leaders are urging both the federal and state governments to do more than just condemn the attacks. They want real protection for the farming communities that are vulnerable to such violence.

A representative from Equipping the Persecuted, a U.S.-based NGO, announced that they would provide financial help to the families of those who died and to local vigilante groups.

This burial took place less than three weeks after another attack in Otukpo-Nobi, where eight victims were buried after an assault on the community on 12 July. PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the police confirmed this attack, stating that five adults and three children were killed.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue, Cletus Nwadiogbu, called the incident a terrorist attack. He explained that the attackers used guerrilla tactics before escaping into nearby forests.

These attacks have heightened worries about the safety of farmers in Benue. Insecurity is disrupting farming activities and causing people to flee from their ancestral homes.

In another incident, a farmer in Mbagena Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area has reportedly left his farm. This happened after local bandits demanded N500,000 before he could harvest his crops.

John James, the farmer’s son, shared this at a workshop focused on safety, security, and justice organized by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project in Makurdi. He said armed men came to his father’s home about two weeks ago and made the demand, threatening him when he asked for more time.

According to him, the bandits later kidnapped his mother after his father did not meet the first deadline. "They charged him to pay a ransom of N500,000. My father pleaded with them because there was nothing at the moment. He had to plead with them for our lives because contacting the security will only worsen the situation," Mr James said.

He explained that his father eventually paid N200,000 and was allowed to harvest part of his groundnut, beniseed, and soybean crops. But the attackers demanded another N300,000 before he could harvest the rest.

Mr James added that his father then fled the community, leaving behind his farm produce. "These people are moving freely in our area, and they are local bandits. Some of them are even known to the villagers because they are from the same community," he said.

He mentioned that other farmers have faced similar attacks and that many residents are scared to report these incidents to the police due to fear of retaliation.

This situation highlights the increasing security problems facing farmers in Benue. Attacks have often disrupted farming and forced people to leave their homes. The recent mass burial and the demands from bandits show the ongoing struggles of rural communities trying to farm safely.