Armed herdsmen have displaced at least 50 communities across five local government areas in Benue State, Punch newspaper reports, citing data from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
According to SEMA, the worst-hit area is Gwer West LGA, where all 15 council wards — including Sengev, Gbaange/Tongov, Saav, Mbapupuu/Tswarev, and others — have been attacked at various times.
Other affected areas include parts of Guma, Gwer East, Makurdi, and Kwande LGAs, where communities have reportedly been overrun by herders, forcing residents to flee.
SEMA’s Information Officer, Terna Ager, confirmed the list but warned that more affected communities could emerge.
“There are many more, but these are the ones I can confirm for now,” Ager said.
The humanitarian crisis worsened on Thursday when suspected herdsmen attacked Agbo Vengav Udam village in Gwer West LGA, killing at least seven people, including an infant.
Three villagers were reportedly abducted during the attack.
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Confirming the assault, Gwer West LGA Chairman, Victor Ormin, said: “The situation is becoming unbearable, the way these armed herders are wreaking havoc in the local government and the state as a whole.”
Thursday’s attack follows a similar incident just a week earlier, when 17 people were killed in coordinated assaults across Logo and Ukum LGAs, according to the Benue State Police Command.
Benue State has faced years of violent conflict, with residents and leaders repeatedly calling for urgent government intervention.
A recent report by SBM Intelligence estimated that over 300,000 people have been displaced across the state due to ongoing violence.