Benue Farmers Flee Homes as Herder Attacks Intensify

News in brief:

-Farmers in several communities in Benue State have fled their homes following renewed attacks by armed herders.

-Large areas of farmland remain uncultivated as displaced farmers take refuge in towns and IDP camps.

Many residents of farming communities in Benue State have abandoned their villages following a surge in violent attacks and killings in remote rural settlements, raising fresh concerns about food production in one of Nigeria’s key agricultural regions.

The latest wave of insecurity has forced farmers to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer towns and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

In Guma Local Government Area, farmers in the Uvir and Nyiev wards say they have been unable to access their farmlands since the start of the rainy season due to fear of armed herders moving through the communities with cattle.

Large areas of fertile farmland in the council are now lying uncultivated as residents remain displaced.

Normal activities are largely restricted to Gbajimba, the council headquarters, and parts of Mbawa ward, where security conditions are relatively stable.

Displacement spreads to Gwer West

A similar situation is unfolding in Gwer West Local Government Area, a major rice-producing area in the state. Although the town of Naka remains relatively calm, residents from surrounding villages have fled to the town and neighbouring communities in search of safety.

The latest displacement followed an attack in Mbalom, where 17 people were reportedly killed. Many victims have since relocated to nearby towns, including Ikpayongu, Igbor, and Aliade.

Residents recount violent attacks. Some residents who fled the violence say the fear of renewed attacks is preventing them from returning to their homes.

Joe Shom, a resident of Ikyaribo village in Guma, recounted how he narrowly escaped during one of the attacks. According to him, he ran into a nearby forest to avoid being killed, while his sister was reportedly assaulted by the attackers during the incident.

Food Security Concerns Grow

The continued displacement of farmers is raising concerns about food production in Benue, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket”.

With farmland abandoned and many farmers living in IDP camps, stakeholders warn that prolonged insecurity could significantly affect crop output during the current planting season.

Agricultural experts say restoring security in rural communities will be critical to enabling displaced farmers to return to their land and resume farming activities.