Concern has taken over many farming communities in Gwer West Native Authorities Space of Benue State following the arrival of armed herdsmen stated to be escaping current U.S. airstrikes in northern Nigeria.
Residents say the state of affairs has compelled many farmers to cease going to their farms as a result of of frequent killings, kidnappings, rape and destruction of crops.
The Chairman of the Gwer West Conventional Council, His Royal Majesty Daniel Abomtse, raised the alarm, describing Gwer West as “the epicentre of assaults and killings in Benue State.”
Talking on the telephone, the monarch stated that by December 31, 2025, about 701 folks had been killed, whereas farms and properties price billions of naira had been destroyed by the attackers, whom he referred to as “Islamic extremist radicals.”
He defined that the issue worsened after the U.S. assault in Sokoto. “The US assault in Sokoto despatched fierce, closely armed males throughout the Nasarawa borders into Gwer West with their cattle, that are already grazing on folks’s farms,” he stated.
In response to him, “Farmers have deserted their fields for security.”
The monarch stated he additionally suffered losses, stating, “I personally misplaced 18 hectares of guinea corn and 10 hectares of cassava to cattle grazing below the watch of safety personnel.”
He talked about a case involving a girl from Tsenongu, Kwaghaondo Nyiyuhwe, who narrowly escaped an assault by herders.
“The matter was reported to the Chief of Employees Particular Unit, Lt-Col Lawal, however nothing was achieved,” he stated.
Expressing his disappointment with safety businesses, Abomtse added, “I’ve misplaced confidence within the Military personnel right here; all of the killings, kidnappings, rape, and assaults occur below their noses.”
He appealed to the U.S. to increase its army operations to Benue State so the fleeing armed teams might be chased away, permitting farmers to return to their farms and stop starvation within the space.
