Herdsmen attacks: US delegation shuns Idomaland, meets only Tor Tiv, ignores Och’Idoma, Agatu, Apa, others

Families of victims in Benue South have expressed frustration and disappointment after a United States delegation conducting a fact-finding mission on alleged Christian-targeted attacks visited Benue State but focused exclusively on Tivland.

During the visit, members of the US delegation met with Catholic bishops and the traditional ruler of the Tiv people, including His Royal Highness James Aytse, and key church leaders, IDOMA VOICE observed. 

However, the Och’Idoma communities, led by HRM Elaigwu Odogbo, and other areas in Benue South such as Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Ohimini, and neighboring communities, were completely overlooked despite decades of deadly herdsmen attacks.

Congressman Riley Moore, a member of the US delegation, shared updates on social media, highlighting his discussions with Tiv leaders.

“It was an honour and deeply moving to meet with His Excellency Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ioruza to discuss the ongoing genocidal campaign by the Fulani in Benue State,” he wrote.

While Moore emphasized the United States’ commitment to protecting Christian communities, his delegation’s exclusion of Idoma communities has sparked concerns among residents. Families in Benue South noted that while Tivland received attention, decades of killings and abductions in Idomaland continue without international recognition or intervention.

Local residents have pleaded for urgent action. “Our people have been living under constant threat from herdsmen attacks for years,” said one community leader in Otukpo. “Children have been kidnapped, farms destroyed, and lives lost. Yet the world seems to only see Tivland.”

Over the years, these communities have suffered repeated violent incursions, mass killings, and abductions. Families continue to mourn victims of the relentless violence, including the recent tragic killings of a pastor in Anwule and Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, both of which have reignited fears of targeted attacks on Christian clergy.

The Anwule attack is only the latest in a long line of attacks that have devastated towns and villages in Benue South for decades.

However, residents of the worst-hit Idoma areas argue that such recognition must extend to their communities. “We do not ask for special treatment,” said an activist from Agatu. “We only ask that our suffering be acknowledged, our people protected, and justice served for those we have lost over the years.”