At least nine farmers lost their lives on Friday following coordinated assaults by suspected herders in two separate communities in Benue State, despite the presence of security forces in the area.
The attacks occurred in Ayilamo, located in Tombo ward of Logo Local Government Area, and Jato-Acka in Kwande Local Government Area.
According to eyewitness accounts, over 20 armed attackers stormed Jato-Acka around 4 p.m., firing indiscriminately and setting several homes on fire. Six residents were reportedly killed during the raid.
Shortly after the violence in Jato-Acka, the attackers proceeded to Ayilamo via the Ikyungwa axis, where they allegedly killed three additional individuals, including a member of the Benue State Livestock Guard.
Local media outlet Daily Post quoted Tyovenda Igyutu, a community leader in Ayilamo, who credited the rapid deployment of military and police units with preventing a higher death toll.
“Ayilamo might have been completely taken over if not for the swift response from the security forces,” Igyutu stated.
In Jato-Acka, youth leader Lawrence Akerigba described the incident as a traumatic experience for residents. “They came around 4 p.m., opened fire on people, and set homes ablaze,” he recounted.
These latest attacks add to the ongoing violence in Benue, a state plagued by frequent clashes between farming communities and herders.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, armed men fatally attacked Comrade Jerry Jeremiah, a youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Apa LGA, and Chief Adejo Anthony Denison, the District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu LGA. Both were killed while working on farmland along the Otukpo-Otobi-Akpa Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.
Witnesses indicated that the farmland, although geographically within Otukpo LGA, is commonly leased to farmers from neighboring areas, including Agatu.
This incident followed the murder of another APC official and six other individuals in separate violent attacks across Gwer East and Makurdi LGAs just a day earlier.
Confirming the death of Chief Denison, Agatu LGA Chairman Mavis James Ejeh told reporters by phone, “Chief Tony Adejo was killed by gunmen while farming in Otobi. Although the event is tragic, the situation in Odugbeho is currently calm. We advise residents not to resort to violence.”
