Renewed tension is building in Benue State following attacks on Fulani herders and the killing of hundreds of cattle in Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas, in incidents that could trigger another cycle of violence if not urgently addressed.
According to security expert Zagazola Makama, heavily armed men, alleged by herder associations to be members of local security outfits, launched multiple assaults on pastoral communities since November 12, killing an estimated 259 cattle in two separate attacks.
“The first incident occurred near Naka in Gwer West LGA, where the government-backed security outfits operating on motorcycles and vehicles reportedly targeted herders grazing peacefully in the area.
The cattle owners Abdullahi Musa said 50 of his cattle were killed, Wakili Musa, another herder, said 51 of his livestock were killed, while Maibargo Abubakar lost 21 of his cattle in the ambush without any provocation.
“Multiple witnesses said the attackers transported the carcasses of the killed animals into Naka town in broad daylight, where they were seen celebrating. Some community members described the attack as ‘deliberate provocation aimed at escalating ethnic tensions’.”
A second attack was recorded the same day behind Okohol village near Ikpam in Guma LGA, where another group of armed men reportedly killed 137 cattle belonging to Alhaji Anaruwa Yongo and his brother. Several carcasses were reportedly removed from the scene, while others remained scattered across the grazing area.
Zagazola Makama said that military personnel deployed in the affected corridors visited some of the locations after the incidents and confirmed the attacks.
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached to confirm the incident at the time of this report
