With the onset of farming season, residents of Benue State are experiencing increased fear and anxiety due to the rise in violent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Recent findings have uncovered that a group of armed herdsmen have caused the deaths of 28 individuals, including six security officers from the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards, during a recent assault on three communities in Gwer West Local Government Area. These attacks have occurred over the span of just one week. One week ago, 17 people who were victims of herdsmen attacks were buried together in a mass ceremony at Mbaikyor Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.
Mr. Henry Agba, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA, verified the occurrence and mentioned that multiple individuals sustained injuries. Additionally, in a devastating event, bandits attacked roughly nine communities in Apa Local Government Area, resulting in fatalities and the destruction of homes by fire. Recently, a tragic incident occurred in the Gbagir community in Ukum Local Government Area, where over 50 individuals, including a family of seven, are feared to have lost their lives due to an invasion by suspected armed Fulani militia. Additionally, another sixteen people were killed during an attack on Wa-ndoo, a community in Mbalom, Gwer-East Local Government Area.
Multiple individuals were reported to have lost their lives.
Tersoo Adagher, a survivor of the attack, tragically lost four family members during the invasion that took place around 7 pm. The suspected armed herders stormed the community while some residents were enjoying their evening meal. Armed with guns and machetes, the attackers unleashed chaos by shooting randomly. In a recent assault on Ogboju community in Agatu Local Government Area, multiple individuals were reported to have lost their lives, as revealed by investigations. John Ikwulono, a former deputy chairman of Agatu Local Government, confirmed the tragic incident, stating that a total of nine bodies were found following the attack.
In a similar ncident, two individuals lost their lives and a number of people went missing when armed herdsmen targeted the Onipi community of Adoka in Otukpo Local Government Area. According to an anonymous source in the area, the attackers not only killed the victims in their farms but also set fire to yam barns and a small truck carrying yams. The local explained that the attack was unexpected since there were no prior conflicts between the two groups.
Plans are being made by security officers to patrol the farmlands.
Gunmen believed to be herdsmen struck once again with deadly consequences in Olakpoga community, located in the Entekpa Council Ward of Adoka District within Otukpo LGA. Sadly, a farmer was killed in this incident, while two others were left wounded. Additionally, one farmer was reportedly abducted. It was discovered that the victims had recently fled their homes due to frequent attacks in the area. Alfred Omakwu, the caretaker chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, revealed to the press that the entire Entekpa Ward, which includes seven villages, is now deserted.
In addressing the issue, Omakwu mentioned plans to send various security personnel to the communities facing challenges. During our recent security meeting with the local government officials, we made a decision to send security officers to patrol the farmlands, he said. This measure is aimed at safeguarding the farmers during their work hours and ensuring their safety on their way back home. It is now time to begin planting, and our community must head to the fields as agriculture is our primary way of life and neglecting this task will lead to inevitable hunger.
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Amodu Igoche, a farmer, expressed his concerns to the press about the challenges they are currently facing with the farming season approaching. He urged the authorities to step up their assistance in enabling farmers to return to their fields, as farming is their main source of income. Aboje Edache, a farmer interviewed by the media, described how armed herdsmen have seized control of farms, allowing their cattle to destroy yam seedlings and other crops, or intentionally setting fire to the fields. The farmers feel powerless to stop this destruction. Right now, the yam seedlings stored in the farm’s barns are being devoured by the cattle or purposely burned, he added.
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