Four Farmers Killed in Fresh Kwande Attack as Residents Flee Benue Communities
Farmers and residents of Anyiase and Ikyoawen communities in Moon Council Ward of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, have fled their homes following fresh attacks that claimed the lives of four farmers.
A community leader, Lawrence Akerigba, disclosed in a telephone interview that the attacks were allegedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen in separate ambushes on Friday morning.
According to him, the assailants first attacked Anyiase, where an unspecified number of farmers were reportedly killed, before advancing to Ikyoawen, where they opened fire on farmers working on their separate farmlands. Three of the victims died instantly.
Akerigba said two other people, including a woman, sustained serious injuries during the attack. While both victims were initially taken to a hospital in Jato-Aka, one of them was later referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, where he was confirmed dead on arrival, raising the death toll to four.
He added that security personnel and local youths have launched a search operation in nearby bushes amid fears that more victims may still be missing.
The community leader further alleged that as frightened residents attempted to flee the area on Friday morning, the attackers emerged from the bush, blocked the road at Ikyoawen Junction, fired at a vehicle conveying fleeing residents, and reportedly seized a motorcycle.
Akerigba described the attacks as unprovoked and expressed concern over what he described as the continued displacement of farming communities during the peak planting season.
He also accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate protection for farmers and alleged unequal treatment in responding to attacks involving herders and farming communities.
According to him, the ongoing insecurity has prevented farmers from cultivating crops such as yams, rice, and bambara nuts, while also disrupting the harvest of groundnuts.
He urged both the federal and Benue State governments to take urgent steps to safeguard lives and property, noting that residents have become increasingly frustrated by the recurring attacks.
Akerigba also referenced the recent killing of more than 15 farmers in Sai Community, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, saying communities expected stronger responses to such incidents.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement. Efforts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.
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