Panic swept through Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area in Benue State, on Sunday evening as residents fled their homes following reports of suspected armed herdsmen sighted around the outskirts of the town.
According to witnesses, the tension began during a heavy downpour when rumours spread that some armed men had been seen in nearby bushes. The development sparked chaos, with people abandoning their shops and homes in fear of an imminent attack.
A rice mill operator, Akem Teryila Peter, who witnessed the incident, described the scene as chaotic. “Everyone started running at once. People were shouting, closing their shops, and heading for safety. It was like something terrible was about to happen,” he recounted.
Community sources said the alarm was raised after a group of women who went into the bush to relieve themselves reportedly sighted the armed men and hurried back to alert others. The information quickly spread through the town, triggering widespread panic.
As of press time, there were no reports of casualties or confirmed attacks. However, residents have urged security agencies to move swiftly to verify the reports and restore calm in the area.
Naka and neighbouring communities in Gwer West have suffered repeated attacks and threats in recent years due to persistent clashes between farmers and herders, leaving locals constantly on edge.
