Lawyers Urge US and Israel to Militarily Intervene in Benue Following New Attacks

A group of lawyers operating under the name Association of Idoma Lawyers (Owa Ka’Okepo Ki’Idoma) has made a call for military intervention from the United States and Israel in the Benue South Senatorial District due to ongoing violent attacks by terrorists.

This plea from the legal body follows a recent incident in the Akpa-Otobi Community located within the Otukpo Local Government Area, where suspected Fulani herders attacked, resulting in the deaths of approximately four individuals on a Tuesday.

The appeal was articulated through a statement delivered by the association's leader, Godwin Obla, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), along with the group's president, Joshua Musa, also a SAN, on Friday.

"We call on the United States of America and the State of Israel to extend their military intervention to the Benue South Senatorial District. Our aim is to safeguard our territory, protect the lives and properties of our citizens, and ensure the dignity of individuals is upheld," the statement asserted.

Reports from PREMIUM TIMES indicate that the assault on Akpa-Otobi resulted in the tragic loss of five lives, including Igbabe Ochi, a past candidate for the House of Assembly in the 2019 elections.

The attack occurred at around 1:30 a.m. following an aborted kidnapping attempt in the area that took place two nights prior.

In their response, the lawyers emphasized that Nigeria, which portrays itself as a civilized nation, must take prompt action to enforce constitutional provisions and legal measures to protect the Idoma community and its inhabitants. They acknowledged that interventions by the US military have brought relief to regions in the Northwest and North-east.

Moreover, they noted, “Israel has also offered to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. It’s important to state that this wave of violent killings began in Agatu, where numerous lives have been lost without significant media attention.”

The legal body urged that the violence must cease, warning that their community members are being pushed to the brink, suggesting that if external help does not arrive soon, they may resort to self-defense.

The representatives detailed the suffering of the Idoma people in Agatu, pointing to killings, rape, destruction of property, contamination of water sources, and the devastation of farms and economic crops worth significant amounts of money.

The lawyers condemned the atrocities committed by the armed herders as "cruel, degrading, and intolerable," urging security forces to respond with renewed determination and commitment.

They referenced the constitutional right to land as stipulated in Section 43 of Nigeria's constitution and highlighted the violations that have endangered their community's economic and cultural existence. They expressed disappointment over the perceived neglect from both federal and state governments, asserting, "We have a right to life as protected by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Our lives have value."

The group called for state and federal entities to prioritize ongoing attacks in the Otukpo, Ohimini, Apa, and Agatu Local Government Areas, demanding evaluations of the losses incurred and compensation for victims.

Increasing attacks have sparked debates regarding the necessity for international military support, reinforcing the urgency for it, especially in light of the repeated violence witnessed.

The pattern of insecurity plaguing the Benue South Senatorial District has intensified calls for a broader military response from foreign nations. Reports have indicated that Otobi Community has frequently fallen victim to violent acts.

Earlier, on April 15, 2025, an attack in the same community claimed 13 lives.

Two weeks post that attack, three locals were slain in the Omebe region of Otobi. Prior to the recent Tuesday violence, gunmen also targeted a Benue Links bus along the Otukpo road, injuring three passengers.

This year alone, violent incidents have marred Benue State, highlighted by the killing of a retired Nigerian Army officer in Otukpo, alongside the abduction of his wife and infant daughter. Security forces have also reported the deaths of two officials, a soldier and an NSCDC officer, within Kwande Local Government Area, in addition to the killing of five farmers during their harvest period in the same locality.

This cycle of violence is part of a larger trend of assaults across Benue, including the tragic event in Yelwata in June 2025 that led to the loss of over 100 lives.

The situation reflects a wider series of armed confrontations occurring across Nigeria, where armed individuals continue to target civilians in different areas.

In an effort to combat this growing terrorism challenge, the Nigerian government collaborated with the United States to execute an airstrike against ISIS militants in Sokoto in December 2025. Despite these interventions, attacks on vulnerable populations persist.

Local leaders and residents have consistently spoken out against the violence, with Kennedy Angbo, a representative for Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency, labeling the situation as "intolerable" and linking the latest killings to previous assaults. He has urged the security agencies to take decisive measures to protect lives and restore order.