Fresh violence has erupted in several communities within Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, forcing hundreds of villagers to flee their homes after a series of attacks reportedly carried out by a local militia group and armed herders.
Residents say the assaults, which intensified last Sunday, were led by a militia group commanded by one Oraernyi, popularly known as “Heavy.” The group is accused of working with armed herders to destroy farmlands and attack rural settlements in the Mbajir community.
According to eyewitnesses, the latest wave of attacks began when farmlands in Tse Akoso were set ablaze, destroying crops and food stores. Terrified residents fled in large numbers to neighbouring villages and towns, leaving their homes and livelihoods behind.
“They came in the afternoon, armed with sophisticated weapons,” said one resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. “They burned our yam and cassava farms and warned that anyone who reports their activities would be killed.”
The source further alleged that a well-known local figure in the area was helping to fuel the crisis. According to him, this person has been issuing threats to silence anyone who exposes the activities of the armed herders and their local collaborators.
“The threats are meant to keep victims quiet and protect those benefiting from the violence,” the source said.
He also revealed that the militia group led by “Heavy” frequently joins forces with the armed herders during attacks, creating the impression that the herders alone are responsible.
“Two herders, identified as Bado and Musa, who have taken part in past raids, are now being shielded by the militia. They move freely under the group’s protection,” he said.
The attackers are said to have established a new camp between Tse Dunchi and Abony, near the border with Ukum Local Government Area. The entire stretch, once home to farming families, has now been deserted due to fear of renewed attacks.
Community members say the violence has devastated local farming, which is the main source of livelihood in the area. Vast farmlands, including yam, cassava, and maize plots, have been destroyed, threatening food security as the harvest season approaches.
“If this continues, our people will be completely displaced from their ancestral lands,” said another villager. “We are begging the government to come to our rescue before it is too late.”
The villagers are appealing to traditional rulers, the chairmen of Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas, and the Benue State Government to intervene urgently. They also called for the immediate evacuation of armed herders from their communities to prevent further bloodshed.
Katsina-Ala and neighbouring Ukum and Logo local government areas have been flashpoints of violent conflict in Benue State for several years. The region has witnessed repeated clashes between armed herders and local militias, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property, and mass displacement of residents.
In the past, the Benue State Government launched several security operations to restore peace, including joint military patrols and community policing initiatives. However, residents say the attacks often resume soon after the security forces withdraw.
Benue, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has been one of the states most affected by the long-running conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The crisis, driven by disputes over land, grazing routes, and access to water, has displaced thousands and worsened hunger in the region.
For now, frightened residents of Mbajir and surrounding villages remain scattered across nearby communities, hoping that government intervention will bring an end to the violence that has turned their once-peaceful villages into ghost towns.
