Five killed in fresh herders attack on Benue community

At least five people have lost their lives in a renewed assault on the Udeku Maav-Ya community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to eyewitnesses, the attack took place on Tuesday around 4:00 pm and was allegedly carried out by armed herders while local farmers were busy harvesting yams and bambara nuts.

Akerigba Lawrence, a former Supervisory Councillor in Kwande LGA, confirmed the incident, noting that the community was taken completely by surprise.

He stated that among the deceased are Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, while the names of two other victims remain unverified as search operations continue for missing residents.

Lawrence explained that the local population has been living in constant fear due to repeated attacks.

He alleged that armed men often open fire as early as 4:00 am, prevent access to riverbanks, and destroy crops, houses, and economic trees.

He said, “We have not seen this number of herders in our place before; every day at about 4:00am, they start shooting, they don’t allow people to access the river bank where they fetch water. They destroyed all our crops, houses and economic trees.

“Our children no longer go to school, churches closed, our markets destroyed. We receive not much attention from the government any time our people are killed, they come with promise and in the end nothing is done. We are at the Mercy of the armed herders.”

Tersua Yarkwan, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Benue State and also the Chairman of Kwande LGA, corroborated the report.

He revealed that the attack occurred in Udeku village on Tuesday evening after the armed assailants reportedly entered from a border community near the Republic of Cameroon.

Yarkwan confirmed that five people died in the attack, which required intervention from security personnel to repel the attackers.

He described Kwande as a uniquely challenging security environment due to its international border with Cameroon and its proximity to the North East and South-South regions of Nigeria.

The council chairman also highlighted that the assault took place during the harvest season, warning that such attacks threaten food security.

He emphasized that local vigilantes and forest guards have been more effective than other forces in responding to the ongoing security issues.

Yarkwan further called for a stronger government security presence to tackle the menace of armed groups operating along Kwande’s local and international borders.

At the time of reporting, DSP Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, had not responded to calls or messages seeking confirmation of the incident.