US-based NGO pays hospital bills of Benue attack victims

An American non-governmental organisation, Equipping the Persecuted (ETP), has given an undisclosed amount of money to victims of the recent attacks on Efeyi and Agadagba communities in Ogboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, to offset their hospital bills.

The organisation, founded by American filmmaker and missionary,  Judd Saul, made the intervention on Sunday, when a team led by its representative, Mike Odeh James, visited the victims at the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, and handed the funds directly to them.

The victims, who are receiving treatment at the facility, sustained injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to the intestines and genitals, to deep machete cuts, following the attacks blamed on suspected Fulani ethnic militias.

Speaking during the visit, James said the gesture followed an earlier assessment visit to the hospital, after which the founder and Executive Director of ETP directed that the organisation ensure the victims’ medical bills were settled.

“If you recall, we came here for an assessment following the attacks by suspected Fulani ethnic 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.

“The founder of Equipping the Persecuted is also praying that you get well soon,” he added.

Responding on behalf of the hospital, the Protocol and Public Relations Officer of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO),  Onyilokwu Edeh, commended the organisation and its founder for coming to the aid of the victims.

Edeh noted that it was about the third time the NGO would be extending support to victims of violent attacks receiving treatment at the facility.

“This is almost the third time ETP is coming to this medical facility to offer lifelines to victims of terror attacks,” he said.

“You were here when Otukpo Nobi was attacked; you also helped the victims by giving them financial support. Now you are here again to support the victims of the Efeyi attack. The cash you are giving them will go a long way.

“On behalf of the management of FUHSO, we thank Mr Judd Saul and ETP,” Edeh said.

Sunday’s intervention marks the second time in three weeks that the organisation has offered financial support to victims of violent attacks in Otukpo Local Government Area. The NGO had earlier assisted victims of the attack on Otukpo Nobi community.

Scores of residents were killed and several others injured when gunmen invaded Efeyi and neighbouring communities in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28, with survivors alleging that no security intervention came during the attack.

A total of 14 persons were treated, ETP paid for 12 following the discharge of two victims before ETP arrived.