Tension has gripped parts of Benue State as residents of several communities in the Moon Council Ward of Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area, have fled their homes and farmlands following an attack by heavily armed men.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday evening between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm, targeted the quiet and sparsely populated headquarters of the Moon Council, Anyiase, and its surrounding settlements.
According to local sources, the gunmen stormed farmlands, firing shots and chasing farmers who were working on their crops. The invasion caused panic and led to the displacement of several villagers who fled into nearby bushes or to safer areas.
One of the affected residents, Mayaki Ahua, said the attackers came in large numbers and appeared well-armed. He said the violence forced people to abandon their homes and seek safety.
“The attack started around 4pm. People just started running, leaving everything behind. It was very serious. But thanks to the joint security forces on ground, the attackers were repelled,” Ahua said.
Though the troops successfully pushed back the gunmen, many residents have not returned, fearing a possible return of the attackers. Local sources said it was difficult to know if there were any casualties due to the remote nature of the area and poor road access.
“The terrain here is very difficult, and the road network is bad. So we don’t know yet if anyone died or was injured,” another resident said.
Security operatives, including military personnel and other joint forces stationed in the area, are said to have responded quickly to the attack and engaged the invaders in a gun battle, eventually forcing them to retreat.
At the time of filing this report, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, had yet to respond to calls or messages seeking confirmation and further details.
Kwande Local Government Area, located in the eastern part of Benue State, shares a long border with parts of Taraba and Cross River states. The area has, in recent years, experienced periodic attacks from suspected armed herders and bandits, forcing many rural dwellers to live in fear.
Communities in Moon Ward, a largely agrarian area, rely heavily on farming for survival. The latest attack has raised concerns about food security in the region as many farmers have now abandoned their farmlands at the peak of the farming season.
Local leaders have called on both the state and federal governments to strengthen security presence in the area and improve road infrastructure to make emergency response easier.
“This is not the first time these communities are under attack. We need permanent security presence and support for displaced families,” a community leader said.
As at now, troops remain stationed in the area to prevent further attacks, while residents wait anxiously to return to their homes and farms.
