‘We alerted you’ — Ochetoha K’Idoma blames security agencies over Otukpo massacre

Apex socio-cultural organisation of the Idoma Nation, Ochetoha K’Idoma Forum Worldwide, has accused security agencies of ignoring prior intelligence that could have prevented the deadly attacks on communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, the group said the massacre in Akpachi-Ugboju and Otukpo’nobi, which claimed no fewer than 20 lives, was avoidable, alleging that authorities failed to act despite receiving advance warning from the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji.

The statement, signed by the President General, Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, and Secretary General, Paul Edeh, said the traditional ruler had alerted relevant security agencies about the planned attacks before the assailants struck.

“What makes this tragedy even more devastating is that it was preventable,” the forum stated.

“The Och’Idoma received prior intelligence about the planned attack and immediately alerted the relevant security officials. That warning was ignored. The security agencies had actionable information and failed to act on it.”

The forum argued that while the attackers bear primary responsibility for the killings, those who allegedly failed to respond to the intelligence should also be held accountable.

“The blood of every victim is therefore not merely on the hands of the assailants, but also on those who received warning and did nothing,” it added.

The organisation identified some of those killed as Onche, a driver, Ujah, Adoji, Juliet Ona and Eyum, while Efada Ohepo, Ebedigidi and several others reportedly sustained injuries.

According to the group, the grief in the affected communities reached an unprecedented level when residents carried the bodies of the victims to the palace of the Och’Idoma in protest.

It described the action as a historic departure from Idoma tradition, noting that corpses are never taken to the royal palace.

“When a people cast aside their most sacred custom to lay their dead before the throne of their king, it is because sorrow has crossed every boundary and anger has nowhere left to go,” the statement read.

The forum also criticised what it described as selective justice following the killing of Fulani leader Ardo Risku Mohammed in Ohimini last month.

It alleged that innocent residents, including an elderly man above 80 years and local vigilantes, were arrested in connection with the incident, while individuals who openly threatened attacks against Idoma communities on social media were left untouched.

“Justice that is selective is not justice. Let no one mistake our restraint for weakness,” it warned.

Ochetoha K’Idoma further raised fresh security concerns, claiming intelligence reports indicated that armed men were gathering in forests surrounding several Idoma communities in preparation for more attacks.

The group urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and Governor Hyacinth Alia to act immediately to avert another round of bloodshed.

It demanded the immediate deployment of security forces to the affected forests, the arrest and prosecution of individuals who allegedly issued threats online, the release of innocent persons detained over the Ohimini incident, a comprehensive manhunt for the perpetrators of the Otukpo attacks, and emergency relief for displaced residents and victims.

The forum warned that if authorities fail to protect communities despite repeated warnings, residents may be compelled to exercise their constitutional right to self-defence.

It, however, appealed to Idoma people at home and in the diaspora to remain peaceful and avoid reprisals, stressing that criminality should not be attributed to any ethnic group.