Ochetoha Kidoma Worldwide Forum Calls for Urgent Government Intervention
The Ochetoha Kidoma Worldwide Forum is urging the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the serial killings occurring in southern Benue. The organization alleges that security agencies ignored prior warnings that could have averted the recent tragic events in Otukpo Local Government Area. In a statement issued on July 12, 2026, by its President-General, Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, and Secretary-General, Chief Dr. Paul Ede, the group responded to a joint attack on the Akpati Ugboju and Otukponobi communities, where over 20 lives were lost.
Addressing Key Authorities and International Stakeholders
The Forum’s statement was directed at key figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hyacinth Arya, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defense Staff, the Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police, as well as the international community. Expressing “deep sadness and burning anger,” the organization highlighted that the killings represent a distressing reminder of the ongoing insecurity threatening the Idoma nation, calling for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life.
Failure to Act on Prior Warnings
According to the organization, His Majesty King Otidoma, Dr. Elaigwu Odogbo Obaji, received credible intelligence about the planned assault and promptly notified the relevant security agencies. The group remarked that actionable warnings went unheeded: “Oku Idoma received advance information about the planned attack and immediately alerted the relevant security authorities. That warning was ignored,” the statement noted. They emphasized that the blood of each victim is not only on the hands of the attackers but also on those who failed to act upon the warnings.
Impact on Victims and Families
The fatalities included individuals such as drivers Onche, Ujah, Adoji, Juliet Ona, and Eyumu, while others, including Efada Ohepo and Ebedigidi, sustained injuries of varying severity. The community remains fearful, with many residents still unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll could increase. The Forum underscored the profound grief experienced by families of the victims, stressing that these individuals were citizens deserving of constitutional protection.
Departure from Tradition Reflects Deep Rage
The Forum noted the unprecedented decision by bereaved residents to transport the bodies of victims to King Ochidoma’s palace, a significant deviation from Idoma tradition, which typically prohibits such actions. The group stated, “Grief has transcended all boundaries and anger has nowhere to go,” accentuating the longstanding distress in the community and highlighting the extent of the tragedy.
Cycle of Violence and Selective Justice
Ochetoha Kidoma pointed out that the wave of violence afflicting southern Benue has persisted for over a decade despite ongoing calls from local leaders for enhanced security measures. The statement called attention to previous incidents where local leaders urged restraint among youth for communal peace, lamenting that necessary security support was lacking from authorities. Furthermore, the group criticized the perceived selective application of justice, where arrests have disproportionately targeted innocent residents while leaving social media threats against the Idoma community unaddressed.
Immediate Actions Demanded to Prevent Future Attacks
The Forum raised serious security concerns, indicating that armed groups are regrouping in the forests surrounding local communities, potentially planning more assaults. They called upon the government to act preemptively, stating, “Today we are telling the president and the security services in advance where blood will be shed next.” Among their demands are the deployment of security forces to the affected areas, the arrest and prosecution of individuals making threats online, and the urgent provision of humanitarian aid and medical support to victims and their families.
Promoting Unity and Legal Compliance
While the organization reaffirmed that crimes should not be attributed to any ethnic group, they insisted that accountability lies solely with the perpetrators. Furthermore, they urged the Idoma people, both in Nigeria and abroad, to remain vigilant and law-abiding, resisting the urge for retaliation. “We have begged for peace, but we will not buy peace with the lives of our children,” they stated, stressing the Idoma nation’s commitment to honor and dignity. The organization concluded by appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security leadership to take swift action to halt ongoing attacks and restore public trust in security operations across Nigeria.
