The Idoma are found in Benue state, (Ethnologue 1996, 348; Post Express Wired 11 Feb. 1998; ibid., 24 Apr. 1997), in Otukpo and Okpokwu Local Government Administrations. Their population is approximately 600,000 and they speak various dialects of Idoma including, Igumale, Igwaale and Ijigbam in Idoma south. The Idoma dialect is used in radio, television, adult and primary education, and a national language Bible was in progress in 1995 (Ethnologue 1996, 348). An 11 February 1998 Post Express Wired report indicates that cultism is deeply entrenched, particularly among the Idoma youth in academic institutions in Benue State.

Information specific to Idoma practice and attitude towards female circumcision could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. For general information on female genital mutilation in Nigeria, please consult NGA32137.E of 7 July 1999.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 1996. 13th ed. Edited by Barbra F. Grimes. Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics.
Post Express Wired. 11 February 1998. "Benue Indigenes Seek End to Cultism." http://www.postexpresswired.com [Accessed: 9 Sept. 1999]