Attacks turn communities into fields of fear By Peter Duru, Makurdi For generations, the people of Benue South have been known for their resilience, rich cultural heritage and agricultural prowess. Stretching across communities where farming is more than an occupation but a way of life, the district has long been regarded as one of the food-producing hubs of Nigeria. Today, however, the songs of harvest have largely been replaced by the echoes of gunfire, cries of bereaved families and the silence of deserted villages. In what residents describe as one of the darkest periods in the history of the zone, communities across Otukpo, Ohimini, Okpokwu LGAs, and neighbouring areas have come under relentless attacks by suspected armed herders. Hardly a week passed without reports of fresh killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling or the displacement of entire communities. Although attacks have plagued parts of Benue State for years, many residents believe the crisis assumed a more frightening dimension following the June 26, 2026, assassination of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah. The two men were reportedly ambushed and killed at Okudu village in Otukpo LGA while returning from a peace mission at Idekpa in neighbouring Ohimini LG. The murder of Ardo Risku which was widely condemned by leaders from within and outside the state appeared to usher in another cycle of bloodshed across the district. Since that incident, Benue South has witnessed a disturbing succession of attacks, with victims ranging from farmers and traders to clerics, academics, women, children and travellers. Communities that once bustled with commercial and farming activities now live under constant fear of the next attack. In many of the affected villages, residents now sleep with one eye open. Some have abandoned their ancestral homes altogether, while others have restricted farming activities for fear of being ambushed on their way to the fields. For a region where agriculture sustains families and local economies, the consequences have been devastating. Mood A community leader in Otukpo, reflecting the mood across the district, lamented: “People no longer think about harvest. Every day is about survival. We don’t know who will be attacked next or which village will be invaded.” The fear gripping Benue South has been reinforced by the frequency of attacks recorded within a few weeks. Hardly had one community begun mourning its dead before another was thrown into grief, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that continues to spread across the district. Among the incidents that deepened public anxiety was the reported killing of former Benue State Secretary to the State Government, Prof. David Salifu, who was allegedly ambushed by suspected armed men along the Wukari–Joota Road in Katsina-Ala LGA, a border community between Benue and Taraba states. The wave of insecurity spared neither religious institutions nor their leaders. The abduction of Senior Pastor of the Universal Reformed Christian Church (NKST), Rev. Dr. Samuel Gbinde, alongside two members of his congregation at Andyar community in Guma LGA sent another chilling message that even places of worship had become vulnerable. Residents said the incidents reinforced fears that no one was safe anymore. As the Secretary of the Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians (CERON) Francis Odiir puts it, “When professors, pastors, farmers and ordinary villagers are all targets, it means nobody can truly say they are safe.” The attacks intensified as July unfolded, with virtually every week bringing fresh reports of bloodshed. Communities across Benue South and other parts of the state became theatres of violence, leaving behind a trail of deaths, injuries, displacement and shattered livelihoods. On July 1, suspected armed herdsmen reportedly attacked Sai community in Mbajir Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, killing no fewer than 10 persons and injuring more than 15 others. The attack, carried out in the early hours of the day, further heightened fears that rural communities had become easy targets for armed groups. Barely 24 hours later, another tragedy struck in Okpokwu LGA. Armed cattle rustlers, believed to be herders, reportedly attacked Okpafie community in Oyilawu, killing a ranch owner and a member of the local vigilante before making away with nearly 50 cattle. On July 4, suspected armed herders launched a two-day assault on communities in Kwande LGA. Four persons were reportedly killed while at least 10 others sustained injuries. Farmers working on their farmlands and travellers attempting to f
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