In a disturbing wave of violence, at least 28 individuals have lost their lives in a series of attacks by Fulani herdsmen in the Mbawa Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State, Nigeria. The attacks, perpetrated by both jihadist terrorists and armed herdsmen, occurred over the course of several days, from Sunday to Wednesday.
Disturbingly there are allegations of complicity on the part of the Nigerian Army and Police in the ongoing attacks, leaving local residents feeling unprotected and abandoned.
Residents of the affected communities expressed their frustration with the lack of intervention by security forces. A resident named Barnabas highlighted the ineffectiveness of the soldiers and policemen deployed to protect the area, as they reportedly failed to halt the marauding herdsmen who were armed with sophisticated weapons.
Furthermore, it was alleged that the police demanded a sum of N100,000 to search for the bodies of those killed on their farmlands.
The situation in the Mbawa Council Ward has been dire for several years, with recurrent attacks by Fulani herdsmen. The recent escalation in violence has left the community traumatized, with an increasing number of lives lost each day.
The area is located near an Internal Displaced Camp (IDP) in Daudu, where vulnerable individuals seeking refuge from the violence reside.
The presence of both an army camp and security personnel in the vicinity has raised questions about their inaction in the face of the ongoing atrocities.
Residents recounted a meeting organized by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Guma, where the community chiefs and elders were asked to allow the Fulani herdsmen to live among them.
The request was met with incredulity, as the same Fulani herdsmen had previously perpetrated a massacre, claiming the lives of 36 individuals. The continuous loss of life has led to growing concerns of an orchestrated genocide aimed at wiping out local communities.
Amidst the prevailing insecurity, efforts by affected residents to recover the bodies of those killed have been met with obstacles. During an attempt to retrieve the corpses with the assistance of soldiers and policemen, the security forces halted the mission, warning that armed Fulani herdsmen were present in the nearby forest. This revelation further fueled suspicions of collusion between security agencies and the perpetrators.
SaharaReporters’ attempts to obtain a response from the Benue Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Sewuese Anene, did not answer calls.
The escalating violence and the apparent inaction of security forces are causing anguish and fear within the affected communities. Urgent measures need to be taken to address the situation, ensuring the safety and protection of the residents in Guma LGA.
The Nigerian government and security agencies must respond promptly and decisively to restore peace and bring the perpetrators to justice, providing much-needed relief to the vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire of these attacks.