Two farmers were tragically killed on Friday, September 26, 2025, following an attack by suspected armed herders in Naka, located in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident reportedly took place when one of the victims, Tersue Felix Ape, a farmer from the Akpagher community, was ambushed and shot while working on his farm.
According to reliable sources, security forces in Naka received a distress call alerting them of the attack. In response, patrol and tactical teams were deployed to the scene.
Upon arrival, the security personnel recovered the bodies of two farmers, including Tersue Felix Ape. The corpses were promptly moved to the General Hospital mortuary in Naka for further investigation.
The identities of the second victim have not been confirmed as of the time of this report.
Benue State has for years been a hotspot for violent clashes between farmers and herders, often fueled by disputes over land use and grazing rights. These conflicts have led to loss of lives and destruction of farmlands, threatening the livelihood of many communities.
The attacks usually involve armed groups of herders targeting farming communities, especially during planting and harvest seasons, worsening food security in the region.
The Federal and State Governments have been urged to take stronger actions to protect farmers and resolve the ongoing herder-farmer crisis peacefully.
This latest attack in Naka adds to a long list of similar violent incidents in Benue, where thousands have been displaced and many more live in constant fear.
Community leaders and residents are calling on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to bring peace and security to the area.
There is a growing demand for increased patrols and better intelligence to prevent such attacks in the future.
As investigations continue, the people of Benue await swift justice for the victims and hope for lasting peace in their communities.
