Armed herdsmen have displaced at least 50 villages in five local government areas (LGAs) in Benue State, spread across 25 council wards.
According to data made public by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Gwer West Local Government Area is the most severely affected, with all 15 council wards experiencing some form of disruption.
Sengev, Gbaange/Tongov, Saav, Mbapupuu/Tswarev, Mbabuande Kyaav, Mbapa, Tsambe/Mbesev, Sengev/Yengev, Merkyegh, Nyamshi, Tijime, Tyough Ater, and Njaha are among the impacted wards in Gwer West.
SEMA published the study a few days before the most recent assaults in the LGAs of Ukum, Logo, Otukpo, and Gwer East.
Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Kwande, and Makurdi are among the impacted local governments, according to the report, “Displaced Communities in Benue State Where Fulanis Have Settled with Their Cows.”
The roving herdsmen have seized control of a number of settlements in six council wards in Guma LGA: Mbadwem, Nyiev, Mbaba, Uvir, and Mbayer/Yandev.
In Gwer East, Mbalom council ward has also seen displacement, with inhabitants migrating to safer places.
The report also states that at least two communities in Mbalagh and one in Bar council wards in Makurdi, the state capital, have also succumbed to the invaders.
Additionally, Moon and Anwase council wards in Kwande LGA have lost a few communities to the violent herders.
“There are many more, but these are the ones I can confirm for now,” said Terna Ager, the SEMA information officer.
The devastating impact of these attacks has been echoed by Iorbee Ihagh, a retired Comptroller of Prisons and leader of the three socio-cultural groups in Benue State.
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Ihagh, who is from Moon ward in Kwande LGA, expressed that the entire community had been abandoned for years due to ongoing attacks. Public facilities like markets, healthcare centers, and schools have all been destroyed.
Ihagh, who also serves as the President of Mdzou U Tiv Worldwide, renewed calls for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state due to the escalating insecurity.
Many residents displaced from their homes are currently taking refuge in 13 official internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across the state, while others are staying with relatives.
Some IDPs have been living in these camps for over eight years, with little hope of returning to their ancestral lands.
