As Council Chair Orders Herdsmen to Vacate LGA in 48hrs.
By Editor
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency said more than than 50 communities across five local government areas in Benue State have been sacked by armed herdsmen, according to data released by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency.
The agency made this known in a report amid renewed attacks in Ukum, Logo, Otukpo, and Gwer East LGAs, reveals widespread displacement across 25 council wards, with Gwer West Local Government Area identified as the worst-hit.
“All 15 council wards in Gwer West have been affected at some point,” SEMA revealed in its report titled ‘Displaced Communities in Benue State Where Fulanis Have Settled with Their Cows’.
The affected wards include Sengev, Gbaange/Tongov, Saav, Mbapupuu/Tswarev, Mbabuande Kyaav, Mbapa, Tsambe/Mbesev, Sengev/Yengev, Merkyegh, Nyamshi, Tijime, Tyough Ater, and Njaha.
Other badly hit LGAs include Guma, where SEMA reported that several communities in Mbadwem, Nyiev, Mbaba, Uvir, and Mbayer/Yandev council wards have also been overrun by herders.
Gwer East’s Mbalom council ward, Makurdi’s Mbalagh and Bar wards, and Kwande’s Moon and Anwase wards were also listed among those suffering from sustained attacks.
According to SEMA’s information officer, Terna Ager, “There are many more, but these are the ones I can confirm for now.”
Benue has for more than 8 years been a centre of herdsmen and farmers conflict resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths and internal displacement.
Janifer, an indigene of Gwer East disclosed to our correspondent that the herdsmen having sacked the villagers have occupied the community she once called a home.
Grazing with the prime motive of occupation has always been at the heart of the attacks ” she said.
It will be recalled that the ex – Governor of Benue State,Mr Samuel Ortom banned open grazing which did not go unchallenged as attacks,verbal and violent intensified against the state
To further curb the excesses of the herdsmen,Ortom launched the State Vigilante Army which to a large extent reduced the volume of attacks in the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State, James Melvin Ejeh, has given Fulani herdsmen a 48-hour notice to leave all agricultural lands.The announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the council secretariat in Obagaji.
The meeting called to address burning issues such as herdsmen activities on farmlands, was attended by i traditional leaders, representatives from the Fulani community, youth leaders, and security personnel.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Agatu LGA Chairman, Obochi Solomon, who made this known in a statement said that Ejeh highlighted the importance of safeguarding agricultural activities in Agatu in light of the upcoming planting season.
The chairman said that agriculture is essential to the local economy and that farmers should have unhindered access to their lands.
Ejeh also acknowledged the current peace in the region but reiterated that maintaining uninterrupted farming activities is of utmost importance.
“Our farmers must cultivate without disruption. We will do everything necessary to create a safe environment for them,” he said.
The statement further disclosed that during the meeting, the Ado of the Fulani requested a one-week extension to allow the herders to prepare for their relocation, a request that the council approved.
The CPS noted that the General Youth Chairman of Agatu LGA, Oloche Silas, committed on behalf of the Agatu youth to support the peaceful evacuation process and to avoid any acts of violence.
