Suspected herdsmen have killed five people in a fresh attack on the Udeku Maav-Ya community in Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
Local sources reported that the gunmen struck on Tuesday evening while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts from their farms, disrupting daily activities and spreading panic.
Kwande Local Government Chairman Tersua Yarkwan confirmed the incident, noting that the attackers lingered in the area after the assault, heightening tensions.
He described the community as a vulnerable border region sharing an international boundary with Cameroon, where difficult terrain hampers security operations.
Yarkwan warned that repeated attacks during the harvest season pose a serious threat to food security.
Former supervisory councillor Akerigba Lawrence also confirmed the killings, identifying three victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka.
The names of the two other victims remain unknown.Lawrence added that search efforts are underway for several residents reported missing.
He highlighted ongoing challenges faced by the community, including destruction of crops, homes, and economic trees, as well as restricted access to water sources.
As a result of persistent attacks, schools, churches, and markets in the area have been forced to close.
The incident has renewed concerns about the seasonal influx of armed herders into Benue communities during the dry season.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
This latest violence adds to the long-standing farmer-herder conflicts in the region, which have claimed numerous lives over the years.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com