Tension has risen again in Benue State following fresh attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on three communities—Div, Nzaav and Jato-Aka—in the Turan area of Kwande Local Government Area. The assault, which occurred in the early hours of the day, has left at least two people feared dead and many others missing, including women and children.
The two victims who were recovered after the attack were identified by locals as Iornenge Utyo and Ywerkaa Tsavnande. Community members say many more people are still unaccounted for, as search efforts continue in bushes, farmlands, and deserted homes around the affected areas.
Residents who survived the incident described the attack as sudden and violent. According to eyewitnesses, the armed herdsmen entered the communities before dawn, shooting sporadically and forcing villagers to flee in different directions. Many families were separated while running for safety, leading to confusion over how many people are missing.
Benue State has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the long-running conflict between farming communities and armed herders. The clashes—often linked to disputes over land, grazing routes, and scarce resources—have led to thousands of deaths and massive displacement over the past decade.
Kwande LGA, which shares a border with Taraba State and parts of Cameroon, has repeatedly experienced violent attacks due to its location and the large presence of farming communities. The Turan axis, where the latest attacks took place, has recorded several raids in the past, forcing many residents to abandon their homes for long periods.
Local leaders say the renewed violence is putting more pressure on already overstretched villages, many of which have only just begun to rebuild after previous attacks. The current assault has brought back fear and uncertainty, as residents worry about the possibility of more raids.
As of the time of reporting, the full extent of the destruction remains unclear. Community volunteers, youth groups, and local vigilantes have been moving from house to house, as well as into surrounding bushes, in search of missing persons. Many homes reportedly stand empty, with families scattered across neighbouring communities.
Women and children make up the majority of those missing, fuelling concerns about their safety and the possibility of kidnapping or further harm. Residents say the rough terrain and thick vegetation make the search difficult, especially as they fear the attackers may still be hiding in the area.
Survivors also reported that farmlands, food stores, and homes were vandalised, although details of the damage are still being compiled by local authorities and community leaders.
Leaders in Kwande LGA have called for immediate government and security intervention to prevent further loss of lives and displacement. They are urging the Benue State Government, security agencies, and the Federal Government to deploy more personnel to the troubled axis.
One community elder described the situation as “heartbreaking and unbearable,” saying the people feel abandoned as the attackers continue to operate freely. Residents fear that without swift action, more communities could be overrun, forcing entire villages to flee.
Benue has long appealed for greater federal support to address insecurity linked to herdsmen attacks. The state, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation” due to its agricultural productivity, has seen many farmers abandon their farmlands because of rising attacks, contributing to food shortages and economic hardship.
The Benue State Government has often criticized the Federal Government for what it describes as a lack of decisive action against marauding armed herders. In recent years, several governors in the state have launched community policing initiatives and supported local vigilante groups to help protect rural communities, but the scale and frequency of attacks continue to overwhelm these efforts.
The latest assault has left the people of Div, Nzaav, and Jato-Aka in fear of further attacks. Many residents who fled have not returned, choosing to seek refuge with relatives or in nearby towns. Schools and small markets in the area have also been affected, with activities suspended until security improves.
Local authorities say a full report on casualties and property damage will be released after the ongoing search and assessment are completed. For now, the attack has once again drawn attention to the fragile security situation in Benue State and the urgent need for long-term solutions to persistent clashes between farmers and armed herders.
