The people of Ukwonyo community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State are living in fear due to the persistent attacks and harassment faced by women at the hands of armed invaders in their farmlands.
Community members have expressed worry over the escalating threat, which has made it increasingly difficult for residents to continue with their daily farming activities.
Comrade Jude Onwe, National Publicity Secretary of Ufia Development Association (UDA), in a press briefing on Tuesday, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are all afraid, and that’s why farming in our area has reduced. Once these armed invaders sight the women in the farm, they pounce on them, rape, and molest them.”
Onwe emphasized that women can no longer visit their farms without being accompanied by men due to the constant presence of bandits [1).
A chilling incident involving 42-year-old Mrs. Catherine Ajogi and four others illustrates the severity of the situation. They narrowly escaped from outlaws at Ogbuga farm settlement while fetching firewood and harvesting snails near the Okonoji River. Mrs. Ajogi was ambushed, captured, and badly macheted on the head while struggling with her captors.
Onwe praised the swift response of Engr. Sunday Oche, chairman of Ado Local Government Council, who directed that the victim be taken to the community health center.
The council chairman condemned the incident as “barbaric and uncalled for” but commended the Ufia people for not taking the law into their hands.
The Ukwonyo community is part of the Ado Local Government Area, which is known for its rich agricultural land and diverse ethnic groups, primarily the Tiv, Idoma, and Igede. The area is renowned for its yam, rice, cassava, maize, and palm oil production.
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