By Mike Odeh James
OTUKPO/Nigeria: Survivors of the recent attacks on Efeyi and Agadagba communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have received financial relief after a United States-based humanitarian organisation settled the medical bills of victims still receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the violence.
The intervention, carried out on Sunday by Equipping the Persecuted (ETP), covered the treatment costs of 12 patients admitted at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital (FUHSO), Otukpo. Two other victims had already been discharged before the organisation completed the exercise.
The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28, left scores of residents dead and several others injured after gunmen invaded Efeyi and neighbouring communities in Ogboju District. Survivors suffered injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to deep machete cuts, while residents alleged that no security intervention came during the assault.
Representing the organisation during the visit, Mike Odeh James said the intervention followed an earlier assessment of the victims’ condition at the hospital, after which ETP’s founder and Executive Director, American filmmaker and missionary Judd Saul, approved the payment of their medical expenses. The organisation did not disclose the amount spent.
James said the decision was taken after the founder reviewed reports and footage from the assessment visit.
“If you recall, we came here for an assessment following the attacks by suspected Fulani militia. After seeing the clips of our interview with you, Mr. Judd Saul asked that we make sure your hospital bills are settled,” he said.
He added that the organisation’s founder was praying for the speedy recovery of the injured victims.
Officials of the teaching hospital described the intervention as timely, noting that it was not the first time the organisation had assisted victims of violent attacks receiving treatment at the facility.
The Protocol and Public Relations Officer of FUHSO, Mr. Onyilokwu Edeh, said ETP had previously supported victims of the attack on Otukpo Nobi community, making Sunday’s intervention the second such assistance within three weeks and the third humanitarian support the organisation had provided to victims treated at the hospital.
According to Edeh, the financial support would ease the burden on affected families already struggling with the consequences of the attacks.
He expressed appreciation to ETP and its founder for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of compassion for victims of violence.
The latest support comes as survivors and affected communities continue to recover from the July 28 attacks, with calls for stronger security measures to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable communities in Benue State.
