Fresh insecurity has erupted in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, following renewed attacks and the destruction of farmlands in the Mbajir community, allegedly involving a local militia group and armed herders.
Residents said the violence intensified on Sunday after large portions of farms in Tse Akoso were set ablaze and vandalised by armed men, forcing villagers to flee their homes.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, alleged that the crisis was being fuelled by threats from a local leader who reportedly warned residents against discussing the activities of the armed herders, threatening them with “dire consequences,” including death.
“The threats are aimed at silencing victims and concealing the role of local collaborators in the escalating violence,” the source said.
He further alleged that local armed groups, led by a man identified as Oraernyi, popularly known as “Heavy,” had been working alongside armed herders in recent attacks on villages such as Tse Akoso and Danzulu, giving the impression that the assaults were solely the work of herders.
According to him, two herders — identified as Bado and Musa — allegedly participated in several attacks and are being sheltered and moved around by the militia. The duo are believed to have relocated to a hideout between Tse Dunchi and Abony, near the Ukum LGA boundary — an area previously deserted due to earlier violence.
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“This move could permanently stop our people from returning home,” the source lamented. “They have also resorted to destroying our yams and cassava farms in Mbajir. We are appealing to traditional rulers, local government chairmen of Ukum and Katsina-Ala, as well as the Benue State Government, to take decisive action before we witness more bloodshed.”
He further called for the immediate withdrawal of armed herders from affected communities to prevent further attacks and displacement.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.