Benue: How over 45 residents were slaughtered along Ikobi-Olegogba road in Apa LG

Ikobi-Olegogba: What was once a vital route linking farming communities in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State has gradually become a corridor of fear, bloodshed and mourning, IDOMA VOICE reports.

For residents of Ikobi, Olegogba and neighbouring communities, travelling along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis has become a life-threatening gamble as repeated attacks by suspected armed herdsmen continue to claim lives and force many families from their homes and farms.

Over the past months, no fewer than 45 residents have reportedly been killed in separate attacks along the road and surrounding communities, leaving behind grieving families, abandoned farmlands and growing frustration among residents who say they have been left at the mercy of attackers. 

The latest victim was Ojama Emie, a health worker who was killed on the road on Thursday, further deepening fears among residents and reigniting calls for urgent government intervention.

Community leaders and residents describe the situation as a humanitarian crisis, alleging that armed herdsmen have effectively taken control of large portions of farmland, making it impossible for farmers to cultivate crops or access their agricultural settlements.

“We no longer go to our farms. Anybody who attempts to go risks being killed or kidnapped,” a resident told IDOMA VOICE.

Another resident said many families have abandoned their ancestral homes and relocated to safer areas, while those who remain live in constant fear.

“People sleep with one eye open. We hear gunshots regularly. The road has become a death trap,” the resident lamented.

Among those reportedly killed in the attacks are Yakubu Ekani, Anebi Otafu, Sabo Aduba, Haruna Ali Ogoh, Adam Antenyi, Oyigocho Oche, Edoh Ogah, Echewija Ojego, Oliver Ochume, Shadrach Sule, Otene Stephen, Echehanya Ogah, Awa Ocho, Alhaji Atungu, Ocho Ondo, Oseni Sani, Oche Patrick, Innocent Ocho, Adam Inalegwu, Joseph Adanu, John Jack, Ochoche Adah, Ananu Eluma, Ochefije Ikpeh, Sani Ngbede, Judge Emmanuel, Ogboyi Paul, Saidu Mathew, Ibrahim Abogbe, Edor Baba, Otikwu Ojiji, Akanu Aminu Ahilo, Ochoyo Sunday, Sunday Isaac, Ochoyoda Michael, Ngbede Michael, Jimoh Ajeoda, Adebo Obiabo, Joseph Gowon Obiabo, Imewa Audu, Isah Idris and Ojama Emmanuel Emie.

The growing casualty list has left many residents wondering when the killings will end.

Several community stakeholders accused the attackers of deliberately targeting farmers and travellers, thereby crippling economic activities in the area. 

According to them, many hectares of farmland have been abandoned while food production has drastically reduced due to insecurity.

Dr. Edoh Ofugocho, Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, condemned what he described as the government’s silence and inadequate response to the repeated attacks on communities along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis.

“It is unfortunate that despite the repeated killings of our people, the response from the state government has not matched the scale of the tragedy. We have continued to bury our people while many communities live in fear and uncertainty,” he told IDOMA VOICE.

Ofugocho lamented that residents had been abandoned to their fate as armed attackers continued to terrorize communities, destroy livelihoods and prevent farmers from accessing their farmlands.

“Our people can no longer go to their farms. The economy of these communities has been crippled. Families have been displaced, children are unable to go about their normal lives, and yet the killings continue unabated,” he stated.

He called on security agencies to establish a sustained presence in the area and launch coordinated operations to flush out criminal elements responsible for the attacks.

“We are calling on the military, police, civil defence and all relevant security agencies to move beyond routine patrols and take decisive action. The perpetrators must be tracked down and brought to justice. The people of Ikobi and neighbouring communities deserve protection like every other Nigerian.”

The Ikobi Progressive Forum leader also appealed to both the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to treat the situation as an emergency.

“This is no longer an isolated security incident; it is a humanitarian crisis. We urge the authorities to act now before more innocent lives are lost. The continuous silence and delay in responding to these attacks only embolden the perpetrators,” he added.

Ofugocho further urged community members to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to restore peace to the affected communities.

The persistent attacks have also heightened tension across Apa Local Government Area, with residents calling on security agencies to establish permanent security formations along the affected corridor.

The killings come despite ongoing efforts by the Benue State Government to tackle insecurity across the state.

Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has repeatedly condemned attacks on rural communities and pledged to restore peace in troubled areas through collaboration with security agencies.

The governor has also continued to engage federal security authorities while supporting joint security operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements from affected communities.

However, residents insist that more decisive action is needed to secure the Ikobi-Olegogba axis and allow displaced farmers to return to their farms.

For many families, the pain remains fresh.

Each name on the growing list of victims represents a father, mother, brother, sister, friend or breadwinner whose life was cut short by violence.

As fear continues to grip communities along the road, residents say they can only hope that urgent intervention will stop what many now describe as Benue’s “Road of Blood.”

IDOMA VOICE.