5 FARMERS KILLED IN FRESH ATTACK IN BENUE. (PHOTO).

 5 FARMERS KILLED IN FRESH ATTACK IN BENUE 

7th January, 2026    

Five farmers were killed on Tuesday in a fresh attack on a farming community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, local sources have confirmed.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 4 p.m. while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts on their farmlands.

A resident of the area, who identified himself as Terna, said the attack disrupted activities in the community and forced farmers to flee for safety.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Hon. Neji Vitalis Terhile, said five persons lost their lives in the attack.

Vitalis said the attackers did not immediately withdraw after the assault, a situation that created tension and fear among residents.

He described Kwande as a vulnerable border local government that shares an international boundary with Cameroon, noting that the difficult terrain has continued to pose challenges to security operations.

The council chairman warned that the persistent attacks during the harvest season could negatively affect food production and food security in the area.

Also confirming the incident, a former Supervisory Councillor in the local government, Mr. Akerigba Lawrence, decried the frequent attacks on the community.

Lawrence said residents had suffered sustained assaults, including destruction of crops, homes and economic trees, as well as restricted access to water sources.

He identified some of the victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse and Tersuur Ijighka, adding that the identities of two others were yet to be ascertained.

According to him, search operations were ongoing to locate some residents who were declared missing as of the time of filing this report.

Lawrence added that repeated attacks had forced the closure of schools, churches and markets in the affected community.

Efforts to get comments from the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as her phone line was not reachable at press time.

The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents over the influx of armed herders into Benue communities, particularly during the dry season.