US Army war veteran writes Benue indigenous people, call for 10,000 volunteers against Terrorism

By Ahmed Idris Dabo

A United States military veteran has written a letter to the people of Benue State calling for a Volunteer fighters of 10,000 men to ward off the senseless killings in the Middle Belt State.

Former Minister of Defense Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma made a similar call on the people to rise up against terrorism.

Some 2million people are already in refugee camps in Benue State which population is some 6million people.

President Bola Tinubu since coming to power has worked harder to tame terrorism by experts believe the wave of violence is being promoted by politically exposed persons who are linked to the terrorism groups

Benue state which used to be the food backet of Nigeria has been plundered and ravaged due to ceaseless Fulani attacks.

This year alone, no fewer than 300 people have been killed by the armed Fulani invaders.

In the letter by the US military veteran, Terzungwe Yohane Orafa made available to Irohinoodua he lamented the mass killing of the people of Benue by the armed terrorists.

Orafa is the son
of Nigerian Army Major Daniel Dzever Orafa who is now late.

The letter was addressed to Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo and other tribes which make up Benue State.

Copies were also sent to Traditional Councils and Prominent Sons and Daughters of Benue and the Government of Benue State,

He wrote “I write this not just as a concerned citizen, but as a trained soldier, a son of the soil, and a father who refuses to watch his homeland fall.”

Terzungwe Yohane Orafa who is from Gaav, in Konshisha, said he carriez the blood of warriors, farmers, iron-smiths before him and builders of his land.

“I have seen the results of war. I have seen what happens when people delay to act — and I am telling you: Benue is under siege, and the time for talk is over.”

He How “Many More Must Die? Our people are being slaughtered in their sleep. Our mothers are being raped in their homes. Our fathers are being shot on their farms. Villages are burned, children orphaned, and thousands left to rot in IDP camps — all while the state and federal governments offer empty promises and zero protection.”

He wrote further “What’s worse? The enemy is armed to the teeth with AK-47s, knives and machetes while we are told to stay unarmed, stay calm, and wait for help that never comes.”

He said the presence of the Chief of Army Staff and his deployed soldiers are only temporary.

“While we appreciate their presence, it is unfair to ask that they lay their lives on the line for ours while we hide behind trees, in IDP camps and watch them defend our homeland. For how long will they be here? What about their own families?”

The veteran spoke further “Let me say it clearly:
No one is coming to save us.We do not need permission to and defend ourselves.”

Apart from attacks on Benue, Plateau and the South East, Kwara and Kogi are also at the mercy of senseless, murderous gangs.

He wondered why the people ask for permission to live and why should they obey laws that do not protect them, while their killers violate every law and walk free?

He said to those who say the Benue people should fear arming their people — “you are already living in fear, and it has gotten us nowhere.
To those who say we might turn the guns on ourselves — we are already dying anyway, one local government at a time.”

He argued that the real threat is not from within but from surrounding the from without.

He listed reports from all zones — from Guma, Kwande, Gwer, Logo, Ukum, Makurdi, Agatu, all the locations of recorded attacks (only Gboko, Ushongo and Vandeikya have not witnessed attacks so far) — confirm that this is not random.

“This is a strategic encirclement. They are cutting off our entry points. We are being surrounded.
My Call as a Veteran and a Son of Benue
I am calling for the voluntary enlistment of 10,000 brave men and women, aged 21 to 50, across our Tiv, Idoma, Igede, and Etulo communities.”

He urged the people to form a Traditional Civil Defense Militia while urging the
Traditional Councils to set up training camps immediately — one in each zone.

He asked the people to organize first aid, tactical defense training, drone flight and aerial surveillance training and weapons safety drills.

He said “Use retired military officers, soldiers and local hunters as instructors. Their wealth of experience is an indispensable asset at this time
I call on all Benue people and s
especially Our Prominent Sons and Daughters:

He asked the people to raise fund to be called “Benue Defense Trust”

On acquisition of AK-47 rifles, he said the same weapons used against Benue people by the terrorists

He asked the people to source surveillance drones, walkie-talkies, medical gear.

He said training logistics and rapid response transport are required.

He said “Why AK-47s? Because they are durable, easily maintained, parts can be locally fabricated by blacksmiths, and ammo is more available than Western platforms.
Most importantly: it’s what our enemies are using — and we must match them or perish.”

He said what is people are facing is not politics but survival

“This is not about power.
This is about our land, our identity, and our future.We must not sit and wait until Konshisha becomes Agatu… until Gboko becomes Guma… until Makurdi becomes another IDP camp.Our displaced brothers and sisters must return home.
We must reclaim every inch of Benue.”

He said “If you are a man or woman of courage, physically and mentally fit, and you believe our homeland is worth defending and fighting for — stand up now.
Let us show Benue state government, our traditional rulers and prominent sons and daughters, our parents, brothers, sisters, children and the rest of Nigeria that we are done running. We are done hiding and capable of defending, in whatever capacity, our homeland.
Indicate your willingness to join on all your social media accounts.
Share this message far and wide.
Let the world know that Benue will not go quietly.”

According to him “Our defeat will have already begun if we are mentally too weak to arm ourselves and respond.The time to hide behind diplomacy, vague, boring speeches and carefully crafted words are over. Lives are at stake, children are being slaughtered, whole villages seized and whole harvests burned. We’re running out of time and options.”

In Nigeria, it is illegal to use unregistered weapons.

The Director General of the Department of State Security Services, (DSS) Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has called for communities to be first line of defence against terrorism in a regulated way where the communities will ba under state institutions to avoid violence and unconstitutional use of weapons.

The DSS has also warned against illegal acquisiton of weapons by groups or individuals.

The DSS is believed to have performed credibly under the new leadership safe the lack of political will to give the necessary support from the ruling class.