- Five farmers were killed during a fresh armed herders attack in Benue
- The incident occurred in Udeku Maav-Ya community, Kwande LGA
- Victims were attacked while harvesting yams and bambara nuts
- Local leaders warn of rising insecurity and threats to food production
At least five farmers have been killed in a fresh Benue attack after suspected armed herders stormed Udeku Maav-Ya community in Kwande Local Government Area, leaving residents in fear and disrupting farming activities.
Local sources said the attack happened around 4:00 pm on Tuesday, while villagers were working on their farms harvesting yams and bambara nuts.
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A resident of the area, who identified himself simply as Terna, said the sudden assault threw the entire community into panic.
“People were on their farms when the attackers struck. Activities stopped immediately, and everyone ran for safety,” he said.
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Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Tersua Yarkwan, said five people lost their lives during the attack.
Yarkwan explained that the attackers did not immediately retreat after the killings, a situation that heightened tension in the area.
“Kwande is a border local government that shares boundaries with Cameroon. The terrain makes security operations very difficult,” he said.
The council chairman warned that the continued attacks during the harvest season could seriously affect food security in Benue State.
Also reacting, a former Supervisory Councillor in the local government, Akerigba Lawrence, condemned what he described as persistent and coordinated attacks on the community.
According to Lawrence, residents have suffered repeated destruction of farmlands, homes, and economic trees, while access to water sources has also been cut off.
He identified three of the victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, adding that the identities of two others were yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Lawrence further disclosed that search operations were ongoing to locate several residents who were still missing.
He added that schools, churches, and markets in the area have been shut down following the repeated attacks.
Efforts to get a response from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as her phone line could not be reached.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the influx of armed herders into Benue communities, a pattern residents say often worsens during the dry season.
