By: Ojay Matthew
Tension is escalating in Benue State following reported attacks on Fulani herders and the killing of more than 250 cattle in Gwer West and Guma Local Government Areas, sparking fears of possible reprisals if the situation is not urgently contained.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that heavily armed men—allegedly members of local security outfits, according to herder associations—carried out coordinated assaults on pastoral communities beginning November 12. The incidents, he said, resulted in the death of an estimated 259 cattle in two separate locations.
The first attack occurred near Naka in Gwer West LGA, where security operatives riding motorcycles and vehicles allegedly ambushed herders grazing in the area. Herders identified as Abdullahi Musa and Wakili Musa said they lost 50 and 51 cattle respectively, while another victim, Maibargo Abubakar, reported losing 21 animals.
Witnesses claimed the attackers transported some of the carcasses into Naka town in broad daylight, where celebrations reportedly followed. Community members described the incident as a “calculated provocation” intended to heighten ethnic tensions.
A second attack was recorded the same day behind Okohol village near Ikpam in Guma LGA, where another armed group allegedly killed 137 cattle belonging to Alhaji Anaruwa Yongo and his brother. Several carcasses were removed, while others were left strewn across the grazing field.
Makama noted that military personnel deployed to the area later visited some of the affected sites and confirmed the destruction.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
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