‘They Disarmed Our Volunteers but Can’t Protect Us’– Protestors
By Ekani Olikita
Christian Residents of Nigeria’s central Benue State are accusing the military of complicity and complacency in the ongoing wave of violence that has devastated rural communities.
In interviews across Apa, Agatu and Gwer-West counties, Christian locals told TruthNigeria that security forces have failed to protect them from repeated attacks by armed Fulani militia groups, despite maintaining a visible presence in the region.
Many residents say their vulnerability worsened after soldiers disarmed local youth volunteer guards who had been defending villages against attacks.
‘Soldiers Not Willing to Fight’
Ofu Adu, a resident of Ochumekwu community in Apa County, described what he sees as a pattern of military inaction.
“We have a Forward Operating Base here,” Adu said. “When the soldiers arrived, the first thing they did was to disarm our youth volunteers. We thought they would also disarm the Fulani attackers, but that never happened.”
According to Adu, armed Muslim Fulani Ethnic Militia continue to move freely with automatic weapons, including AK-47 rifles and machine guns, launching attacks with little resistance.
“We inform the military before and during attacks, but they say their orders are not to pursue the attackers unless directly engaged,” he told TruthNigeria.
Adu recounted a recent incident on April 18, when armed Fulani terrorists nearly overran his village. Local volunteers resisted using hunting rifles, but one of them, Elijah Aleichenu, was killed.
“We had to beg the soldiers before they supported us in retrieving his body,” Adu said.
He also alleged that known Fulani terrorist camps exist in nearby communities, including Imana-Ikobi and Ijaha-Ikobi, but remain untouched.
‘Military Not Here to Protect Us‘
In neighboring Agatu County, residents voiced similar concerns.
Edor Seidu of Odugbeho community claimed that security forces have failed to act on repeated intelligence about Fulani militia movements.
“They gather in nearby villages of Odejo, Imana-Ikobi, Ijaha-Ikobi before and after attacks. We report this, but there’s no decisive response.”
He alleged that armed Fulani militia maintain camps across multiple locations spanning Apa, Agatu and Gwer-West, areas he says are well known to authorities.
Dr. Damian Attah, a Security Expert at Benue State University and a native of Gwer-West, described the situation as deeply troubling.
“There are multiple military bases across the county,” he said, listing locations including Naka, Agagbe, and Abiam. “Yet attacks continue. Troops often arrive after the violence or not at all. And when they do, they rarely engage.”
Attah suggested that the lack of decisive action has fueled suspicions among residents.
Undermanned and Outgunned
A TruthNigeria investigation found that while military forward operating bases exist throughout the affected counties, many are severely understaffed.
In several locations, bases reportedly have fewer than ten personnel, often lacking the firepower to match heavily armed attackers. Police units in the region face similar constraints.
Security analysts say this imbalance, combined with difficult terrain and the mobility of armed groups, has limited the effectiveness of military operations.
Conflicting Orders, Low Morale
Analysts also point to conflicting directives from senior defense officials as a factor undermining troop effectiveness.
In September 2025, current Nigerian Minister of Defense, then Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Christopher Musa urged troops to engage terrorists immediately without waiting for orders, warning of disciplinary consequences for inaction
However, in March 2026, current Chief of Defense Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, appeared to adopt a more conciliatory tone, encouraging the reintegration of some militants, remarks that some observers say may create confusion among troops in active conflict zones
Retired police superintendent and security analyst Mambo Echono said such mixed messaging can be damaging.
“In the military, disobeying orders has serious consequences. If directives are unclear or contradictory, soldiers may hesitate in critical moments”, Echono told TruthNigeria
International Concern
Credit: Cruz Facebook photos.
The violence has drawn attention abroad. During a recent U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Republican Senator Ted Cruz (Texas) alleged that Nigerian officials have been complicit in widespread violence against Christians
Cruz claimed that since 2009, approximately 50,000 Christians have been killed and that 20,000 churches were destroyed in Nigeria, figures that remain contested but underscore growing international concern.
“More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world,” Cruz said during the hearing.
Rising Death Toll
Meanwhile, violence continues to escalate on the ground.
Between April 10 and April 18 alone, at least 20 people were killed across three counties in Benue State—12 in Apa, three in Agatu, and five in Gwer-West, according to local reports.
For residents, the combination of persistent attacks and what they describe as inadequate protection has created a climate of fear and frustration.
“We are left to defend ourselves,” one resident said. “And even that is becoming impossible.”
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria