Five farmers have been k!lled and several others injured after suspected armed herders attacked the Udeku Maav-Ya community in Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, on Tuesday around 4:00 p.m.
The assault disrupted yam and bambara nut harvesting in the border community, sparking renewed fears over food security in the agrarian region.
Kwande LGA Chairman, Tersua Yarkwan, confirmed the fatalities and noted that the attackers lingered in the area after the assault, heightening tension among residents.
“This is a very disturbing incident. Five of our farmers were killed while harvesting their crops, and the attackers stayed back in the area for some time,” he said.
Yarkwan described Kwande as a vulnerable border area with difficult terrain along the Cameroon boundary, which he said hampers effective security operations. “Repeated assaults, especially during harvest season, pose a serious threat to food security,” he warned.
A former supervisory councillor, Lawrence Akerigba, said the community was unprepared for the attack and has been under constant pressure from armed herders. “Our people have faced sustained attacks involving shootings, destruction of crops and homes, and restricted access to water sources,” he said.
The confirmed victims include Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, while the identities of two others remain unknown. Some residents are still missing as search operations continue, Akerigba added.
He also lamented that the repeated attacks have forced the closure of schools, churches, and markets in the area, calling for urgent and consistent security intervention. Efforts to reach Benue State Police Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
RIP
REST in peace