A violent attack by suspected armed herdsmen has left five farmers dead in a border community in Benue State, further escalating the security crisis in the region and raising alarms over food security.
Attack During Harvest in Vulnerable Community
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, around 4 p.m. in the Udeku Maav-Ya community, Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District, of Kwande Local Government Area. According to reports, the farmers were brutally attacked while they were harvesting yams and bambara nuts, a routine agricultural activity that has now turned deadly.
A local resident, Terna, confirmed that the assault caused massive disruption and panic, bringing all community activities to an abrupt halt. The attackers, believed to be armed herders, did not retreat immediately after the killings, lingering in the area and heightening fear among residents.
Officials Confirm Crisis, Highlight Border Vulnerabilities
Tersua Yarkwan, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, officially confirmed the attack. He painted a grim picture of a community under siege, noting that the area's geography severely complicates security efforts.
"This is a vulnerable border community that shares an international boundary with Cameroon," Yarkwan lamented. "The difficult terrain makes it hard for security operatives to respond swiftly and effectively." He emphasized that the timing of these repeated attacks during the harvest season poses a serious and direct threat to food security for the state and beyond.
Community in Despair: Victims Named, Institutions Shut
Adding his voice, Akerigba Lawrence, a former Supervisory Councillor in the local government, decried the unending cycle of violence. He detailed a pattern of sustained assaults that go beyond loss of life.
"Our people face constant attacks, the destruction of their crops, homes, and economic trees. Even access to water sources is being restricted," Lawrence stated. He identified three of the victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka. The identities of the two other victims were still being ascertained at the time of the report.
The situation remains fluid, with search operations ongoing to locate several residents declared missing following the attack. The cumulative effect of the violence has been devastating for social and economic life: schools, churches, and markets have been forced to shut down due to the repeated insecurity.
The attack in Kwande LGA underscores the persistent farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria's Middle Belt, highlighting critical challenges in border security, community protection, and safeguarding agricultural livelihoods.
