Five farmers have reportedly been killed by suspected armed herders who carried out an attack on Udeku Maav-Ya community in Mbakyol, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state.
According to local sources, the incident which happened at about 4 pm on Tuesday when residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts has disrupted activities in the community.
TheFact Daily notes that residents of communities in Benue state constantly live in fear as a result of frequent attacks by suspected herdsmen. From Gwer WestA to Agatu, from Ukum to Apa, Logo and Kwande, the story is the same: fear of attacks without guarantee of safety of lives. Only recently, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, called on the United States to extend its airstrikes to Benue state, condemning what he described as the influx of well-armed militants following the Sokoto airstrikes.
The chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Tersua Yarkwan, who confirmed the killings of the five persons, said the attackers did not immediately withdraw after the assault, which he said caused tension in the area.
He described the area as a vulnerable border local government that shares an international boundary with Cameroon, and lamented that the terrain complicates security operations. According to him, the continued attacks during harvest season threaten food security.
Also confirming the incident, A former Supervisory Councillor in the local government, Akerigba Lawrence, also confirmed the incident and decried the constant assault on the community.
He stated that residents of the community constantly faced sustained attacks and destruction of crops, homes, and economic trees, as well as restricted access to water sources.
