Suspected armed herdsmen have reportedly launched fresh attacks on farming settlements in Adogo, Ugbaam Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, vandalising farmlands and destroying crops valued at millions of naira.
The sudden assault has thrown the agrarian community into panic, forcing many residents to flee their homes amid fears for their safety.
Confirming the incident, a respected community leader, Chief Aule Gba, decried the renewed violence, saying it had crippled farming activities both in Adogo and neighbouring areas.
“Most farmers have fled and relocated for fear of being attacked and killed by the militia herdsmen,” he said.
Chief Gba disclosed that the attackers were sighted grazing their cattle on farmlands and deliberately uprooting crops, including cassava, to feed their animals.
He described the development as a clear indication of how exposed rural communities had become, blaming the situation on what he termed inadequate intervention by the government and security agencies.
“The illegal migration of these suspected armed herdsmen into certain parts of the state has not been adequately addressed. This leaves communities exposed and at constant risk of attacks,” he said.
The community leader urged the Benue State Security Council to urgently review existing security measures and consider partnering with the Federal Ministry of Defence to deploy advanced security support.
According to him, such support should involve air surveillance and tactical operations capable of reaching criminal hideouts located in dense forests with poor road access and weak communication networks.
He warned that decisive and preventive action was needed to avert further devastation and loss of livelihoods, stressing that “If urgent steps are not taken, the state should expect more of such attacks.”
Local farmers, he added, are increasingly frustrated and traumatised, as persistent attacks have made it unsafe to access their farms.
“Many have temporarily abandoned their farms, resulting in a potential food security challenge the area.”
Sources also revealed that security patrols around the affected communities remain minimal due to the rugged terrain, limiting rapid response and allegedly emboldening the attackers.
Meanwhile, residents of Adogo and nearby villages have appealed to the state government and security agencies to urgently intervene to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
Farmers flee Benue community as armed herdsmen destroy crops
