The wave of attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue State began in 2011, initially hitting communities in Gwer West Local Government Area before gradually extending to nearly 20 of the state’s 23 LGAs.
These violent incursions have forced countless residents to flee their ancestral homes, with many now stranded in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps scattered across the state.
Alarmingly, the attackers have not only displaced the locals but have also taken over many of the affected communities.
Addressing the worsening situation to press media at his residence, the Ter Tyoshin and Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Daniel Abomtse, revealed that every district within Gwer West has fallen into the hands of armed herders.
He lamented that the original inhabitants have been displaced and are now confined to the council headquarters in Naka.
“In all our communities, the killer herdsmen are firmly in control. Some are grazing livestock, while others are involved in banditry and kidnapping activities,” he stated.
He also highlighted the grave security risks, noting that major roads like Naka-Adoka, Naka-Taraku, and Naka-Makurdi have become extremely dangerous and are essentially death traps.
The monarch painted an even bleaker picture across other parts of the state: over six districts in Kwande LGA are currently under siege; Guma LGA has lost all 10 of its districts; and in Makurdi LGA, only the metropolis remains unsecured.
In Logo, most areas have been overrun, and Ukum LGA remains a hotspot for continuous attacks.
Neighbouring communities in Otukpo, Agatu, and Apa LGAs are also experiencing growing insecurity.
According to him, over two-thirds of Benue’s local government areas have effectively fallen into the control of terrorists posing as herdsmen.
He stressed the urgent need for a coordinated effort to reclaim these territories, warning that the scale of devastation in Benue is severely under-reported and far exceeds the crises witnessed in other parts of the country, including Borno State.