Suspected Herdsmen Unrelenting in Deadly Attack on Benue Community
An eerie calm has descended over a community in Benue State following a devastating early morning attack allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen, leaving residents mourning, displaced, and in shock.
Though exact figures remain uncertain, multiple sources confirm that several lives may have been lost, with the death toll expected to rise as authorities begin recovery and assessment efforts.
The attack, which occurred in the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday, took residents by surprise. Armed attackers reportedly stormed the community, firing indiscriminately and setting homes and farmlands ablaze. Local farmers, many of whom were asleep at the time, were jolted awake by the sound of gunshots and screams. Survivors say the assailants moved swiftly, torching structures and destroying crops before fleeing the area.
“We were woken up by gunfire. It was like a nightmare,” said one local resident who escaped with his family through the back of his home. “I saw people running, some injured, some carrying children. They came in large numbers and just started shooting.”
Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene of destruction—burnt-out huts, charred farmland, and scattered belongings of those who fled in haste. Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least a dozen people may have been killed, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The motive behind the attack has not been officially confirmed, but local leaders and civil society groups point to the long-standing and often violent conflict between herders and farming communities over land and grazing rights. Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has been a frequent flashpoint in this simmering crisis, which has displaced thousands over the years and led to countless fatalities.
In response to the attack, security forces have been deployed to the affected area to restore order and launch an investigation. Police authorities have yet to provide an official statement, but a senior officer in the state confirmed that tactical units are on the ground conducting patrols and gathering intelligence.
“We have deployed our men and are working with community leaders to ascertain the extent of the damage,” the officer said. “We urge residents to remain calm and report any suspicious activity.”
Local leaders, however, are calling for more than just reactive measures. Chief Terngu Aondofa, a traditional ruler in the region, expressed deep frustration over the government’s handling of repeated attacks.
“How many more must die before something is done?” he asked. “Our people are being killed, our lands are being taken, and we are left to bury the dead and rebuild from ashes.”
Civil society organizations and human rights groups have also weighed in, demanding urgent federal intervention and a long-term solution to the crisis. “This is not just about farmers and herders anymore; it is a failure of governance and security,” said Ifeoma Okoro of the Centre for Peace and Rural Development. “The government must act decisively to protect lives and property.”
As families begin to count their losses and bury their dead, the fear of another attack looms large. Many residents have refused to return to their homes, opting instead to seek shelter in neighboring towns or makeshift camps, further stretching already limited resources.
For the people of Benue, today’s attack is yet another tragic chapter in a conflict that shows no signs of abating. And while the cries for help grow louder, so too does the silence from those in power.
