Bandits have launched attacks on approximately nine communities in the Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in fatalities and the destruction of homes. The affected communities have been left deserted as surviving residents have fled to safety. While some locals estimate the casualty figure to be around 25, the lawmaker representing the area in the state Assembly, Abu Umoru, stated that he has lost count of the casualties.

Umoru revealed that about 95 percent of the communities in the local government have been deserted due to the ongoing attacks. He mentioned specific communities such as Edikpo, Opaha, Odugbo, Akpete, Ikobi, Akpata, Idiaha, Ochumekwu, and Adiga, where nobody remains due to the violence. The attacks have been relentless, with bandits burning houses in Akpete repeatedly over several days and laying ambushes that result in daily casualties ranging from one to five individuals.

The situation has escalated beyond the affected communities, prompting Umoru to seek medical attention for an illness he developed due to the crisis. He expressed frustration at the lack of effective intervention despite efforts by representatives at the National Assembly to raise awareness of the issue. Umoru emphasized the severity of the situation, lamenting the inability to provide assistance to impacted communities and questioning the effectiveness of his role as a lawmaker.

Umoru recounted instances of violence targeting individuals traveling on the highway, highlighting the brazenness of the attacks and the challenges faced in addressing them. He described a recent incident involving Fulani herdsmen blocking a road with their cattle, disrupting traffic for hours. Despite repeated motions raised by representatives, the situation persists, leaving Umoru feeling helpless and questioning the purpose of his political involvement.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, Catherine Anene, stated that she did not have reports on the attacks. Similarly, attempts to reach the state government's Special Adviser on Security, Joseph Har, were unsuccessful, leaving residents concerned about the lack of official intervention in the face of ongoing violence and displacement.

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