The lawmaker representing Otukpo–Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Blessing Onuh, has raised alarm over renewed killings, kidnappings, and destruction of farmlands by suspected herders in her constituency, describing the situation as a national emergency that demands urgent federal intervention.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the visibly distraught two-term legislator said she has grown weary of repeatedly moving motions on insecurity without seeing lasting results.
“I am really pained and frustrated. How can I continue to move motions on insecurity without sustained response? Whenever I cry, they respond, but soon they retreat and then more gruesome attacks occur,” she lamented.
Onuh disclosed that she spends a significant portion of her resources paying medical bills and funeral expenses of victims of the attacks, which she described as relentless and worsening.
The lawmaker cited multiple recent incidents to highlight the deteriorating security situation.
According to her, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, four persons were abducted in Asa village, Otukpo Local Government Area. Two days later, on Tuesday, November 11, eleven more were kidnapped in Akpegede village.
She further revealed that the attackers operate openly from camps within Otukpo, with security agencies fully aware of their presence.
“The most painful aspect is that the camp of these criminals is in Otukpo. All the security agencies are aware of it. They are there in their numbers with arms and ammunition,” she said.
Providing a chilling account of a recent massacre, Onuh narrated that on November 3, three villagers Pastor Simon Nkpachi, Inalegwu, and John Ejeh Ijegwa were declared missing after heading to their farms. Later that day, Pastor Nkpachi’s body was found with machete wounds, while Inalegwu’s body was discovered the following day.
Before the community could recover from the shock, she said, the attackers struck again on November 4, killing four more residents Stephen Ajeibi, Titus Ejeh (a blind man), Ekoja Gabriel, and Samuel Peter and burning several houses, food barns, and farmlands.
“Up till now, the body of John Ejeh Ijegwa, popularly known as Dealer and an APC community leader, is still missing. Fear has not allowed anyone to enter the bush to search for his body,” she said.
In all, seven people were killed, though only six bodies have been recovered and deposited at the Federal University Hospital, Otukpo mortuary, awaiting burial on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Onuh appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the new Service Chiefs and other security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and restore peace to the affected communities.
“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level. Every day, we witness the senseless murder of innocent people, and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal,” she said.
She condemned what she described as “cosmetic responses” by local and state officials, who issue statements after each attack but fail to follow through with concrete actions.
“Are these killers above the law? Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she queried.
The lawmaker also warned that the persistent violence has driven farmers from their lands, heightening food insecurity in the region.
While urging youths in the affected communities to shun reprisal attacks, Onuh assured her constituents of continued engagement with political leaders and security agencies to bring lasting peace.
“I will engage with political stakeholders and security heads to ensure these atrocities come to an end. Our people deserve to live in peace,” she pledged.
