A priest of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, north central Nigeria, Fr. Jerome Itodo has raised alarm over the invasion of Odugbo in Apa Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State by suspected Fulani terrorists who kept shooting sporadically since morning.
Sequel to a short amateur video obtained by Advocatus Africa, Fr. Itodo noted that on 17 March 2026, the terrorists attacked women in the farming community who were about their normal business of “planting and watering nursery beds [of] pepper along the stream.”
Further presenting an eye-witness account of the attack in the Benue community, the religious leader lamented, “We have been held down in the community people cannot move out. Only God can save us. Please hold us in your prayers.”
The perplexed priest shouted, “My God, my God…Right now, we are in a war with the Fulanis. You can hear gunshots. This is Odugbo,” and asked rather rhetorically, “The world, are you there?
He decried the situation, saying, “Our house has no peace; our land is being invaded by these terrorists,” insisting, “Fulani are here, shooting sporadically, all this while.”
Fr. Itodo, however, assured that “the Mopol 80 Squadron, and Nigerian Army alongside the community vigilantes have been engaging them in fire for fire.”
Known for his vocal presence in reporting security challenges in the area, Fr. Itodo is also recognised for his religious and community leadership within the Odugbo region.
There were similar recent attacks on the neighbouring Edikwu Ankpali community, Apa LGA, and the abduction of nine Catholic faithful at St. John of the Cross, Ojije, an Outstation of St. Paul’s Parish, Utonkon, who were later rescued.
