By Prosper Mene, April 22, 2025
A suspected bandit unleashed terror in Afia community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, shooting several residents dead and leaving the tight-knit farming community in shock. As families mourn, women in Afia are at the forefront of grappling with the tragedy, advocating for enhanced security, and providing emotional support to survivors, highlighting their critical role in the face of recurring violence.
The attack, reported by local sources occurred in the early hours when the gunman stormed Afia, firing indiscriminately. According to the traditional ruler of Ukum, Chief Iyorkyaa Kaave, speaking at a security meeting in Makurdi, the assault claimed 11 lives, with several others injured. This incident follows a pattern of violence in Ukum, with suspected armed herders killing over 50 farmers in the region just a week prior. The relentless attacks have left women, who often serve as caregivers and community anchors, bearing the brunt of grief and fear.
For women like Grace Iorhemba, a mother of four and local farmer, the attack has deepened anxieties about safety. “We can’t sleep at night, wondering if our children will be next,” she said, her voice trembling. Women in Afia, many of whom lost husbands, sons, or brothers, are organizing communal prayers and support networks to comfort grieving families. “We’re the ones holding our homes together, but it’s hard when we’re scared to even go to the farm,” Grace added. The fear is compounded by the community’s reliance on women for both agricultural labor and household stability, roles now threatened by the ongoing insecurity.
The attack’s timing, striking at dawn when women were preparing for market or farm work cheated their vulnerability. “I was getting ready to sell my yams when I heard the gunshots,” recounted Martha Tyosar, a trader. “I hid with my children, but we lost our neighbor, a young man who tried to run.” Women are now pushing for stronger security measures, just like Chief Kaave’s plea for federal intervention to curb the violence. They are also calling for psychosocial support to address the trauma affecting survivors, particularly children who witnessed the horror.
“The government keeps promising security, but we’re still burying our people,” said Esther Kpum, a member of a local women’s cooperative. Esther and others are advocating for permanent military posts in Afia and surrounding villages, a demand supported by reports of over 1,000 armed militia lingering in Ukum’s bushes. The community’s women are also urging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief for displaced families, many of whom are led by widows.
While Afia buries its dead, women are demanding action to prevent further bloodshed. “We’re tired of crying,” Esther declared. “We want our children to grow up without fear.” Their courage amid grief shows the vital role women play in healing and rebuilding a community under siege.
