At least five people have been killed after gunmen suspected to be armed herders attacked the Udeku Maav-Ya community in Benue State, located in central Nigeria, close to the country’s border with Cameroon.
The attack occurred on Tuesday evening in Mbakyol Council Ward, within the Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area, while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts from their farms, according to local sources.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Tersua Yarkwan, said the attackers did not immediately withdraw after the assault, creating fear and tension in the community. He described the area as a vulnerable border region, noting that its difficult terrain continues to complicate security operations.
Yarkwan warned that repeated attacks during the harvest season pose a serious threat to food security, as farmers are increasingly unable to safely access their land.
A former supervisory councillor in the local government, Akerigba Lawrence, also confirmed the attack, saying the community has faced sustained violence in recent months. He reported widespread destruction of crops, homes and economic trees, as well as restricted access to water sources.
Three of the victims were identified as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse and Tersuur Ijighka, while the identities of two others had not yet been confirmed. Search operations were ongoing for several residents reported missing at the time of filing this report.
Lawrence added that repeated attacks have forced the closure of schools, churches and markets in the area. Efforts to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful.
