By Amos Aar
ARMED men, suspected to be herdsmen, have reportedly killed three farmers, injured several others, and destroyed crops and properties in separate attacks on Tse Shugu in Vengav, Udam clan of Avihijime council ward, and Tse Gyuche in Gyaruwa clan of Ayemegh, all within the defunct Raav constituency of Gwer West LGA of Benue State.
According to local sources, two farmers were brutally attacked on Sunday while attempting to drive cattle away from their cassava farms. The attackers reportedly amputated the farmers’ hands during the confrontation.
“As the retreating herders left, they killed another person along the way. By the following morning, it was confirmed that two more farmers were killed on their farms at Tse Agbakwa village in the same Gyaruwa clan,” a community source disclosed.
Another resident of Gwer West told National Record that: “The problem started when cows were grazing on a farm. The owner became angry and tried to chase them out, leading to a quarrel. The herders retaliated by cutting off his hand. The situation quickly escalated, and the armed herders opened fire on villagers.”
When asked about the identities of the victims and the exact number of casualties, the source said details were still unclear as many affected residents had fled the area, with their mobile phones either switched off or unreachable.
Reports also indicate that a few days prior to the Gyaruwa attack, suspected armed assailants disguised as robbers stormed Tse Shugu in Vengav, Udam clan of Avihijime council ward. They reportedly looted properties, robbed villagers, and vandalised garri processing plants across the community.
Efforts to confirm the attacks from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sewuese Anene, were unsuccessful as she did not respond to enquiry messages sent to her since Monday.
However, Senator Titus Zam, who represents Benue North West, condemned the attacks in a statement, expressing solidarity with the people of Gwer West. He urged both federal and state governments to intensify security measures to prevent further violence.
These renewed attacks come barely three weeks after media reports indicating that the Tyoshin Development Association (TIDA), under the leadership of Comrade Timothy Tiza, had begun road reconstruction projects to support the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.
This effort reportedly followed security initiatives introduced by Governor Hyacinth Alia, including the Civil Protection Guard and Anyam Nyõr.
The resurgence of violence has raised concerns among Benue residents and returning IDPs about the safety and sustainability of resettlement efforts in their ancestral communities.
