At least 20 people have been killed, and several homes and farmlands destroyed in a series of attacks on Jato-Aka and neighboring communities in Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. The attacks, reportedly carried out by suspected herdsmen, lasted for four consecutive days, forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Residents Recount Horrific Attacks
A local resident, who spoke to Reporters on Wednesday, confirmed that the attackers set fire to houses and farmlands, leaving the community in ruins.
“Fulani herdsmen have killed innocent members of my family in Jato-Aka and have left everyone homeless,” the resident lamented.
The most recent attack occurred on Tuesday evening, when armed assailants struck again, killing one person and burning down multiple homes and farm produce.
“They attacked again yesterday. It was an evening attack. They killed one person and burned down several houses and farm produce. Most of the houses in the community are thatch houses, and they burned almost all of them down,” the source added.
Fear and Displacement in the Community
The once-peaceful Jato-Aka community has become a war zone, with residents living in constant fear of further attacks. Since Saturday, at least 20 people have reportedly been killed, including an eight-year-old boy named Aondufa.
In response to the growing insecurity, families have started fleeing their homes, seeking refuge in safer locations.
“Now, many people are leaving because we don’t want to die. I have asked my brothers to take children and old people who can’t defend themselves to neighbouring towns in case of subsequent attacks,” the resident explained.
Herders Allegedly Take Over Key Areas
According to eyewitnesses, the armed assailants have occupied parts of the community, particularly farmlands and a nearby village across the river. This has made it impossible for residents to continue farming, further worsening the hardship in the area.
“They have taken over farmlands. People are running away, so how can they even think of farming?” the source questioned.
Reports indicate that these attacks follow a disturbing pattern, with unknown individuals being spotted in the area before major invasions occur.
One resident disclosed that herdsmen often send scouts to conduct surveillance before launching full-scale attacks.
“The guards protecting the community quickly moved to interrogate them. Our investigation has shown that herdsmen often use individuals by giving them money to scout areas and report back before they launch their attacks,” the resident revealed.
Community members have since been on high alert, questioning strangers found in the area. Last Saturday, some unidentified individuals were apprehended and handed over to the police after failing to provide convincing responses.
Police and Military Response
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the recent attacks but denied that any suspects were handed over to them.
“Yes, there was an attack at Jato-Aka about two weeks ago, and police officers were deployed to the area. However, fear of another possible attack has kept the people tense,” said SP Anene Sewuese, the Police Public Relations Officer.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated after the Nigerian Army reportedly fired shots to disperse a crowd of angry youths who protested against the handling of the situation.
Growing Concerns Over Insecurity
This latest incident adds to the rising number of violent attacks in Benue State, which has been a hotspot for clashes between herders and local farmers. The ongoing crisis has displaced thousands of residents, with many calling on the government for urgent intervention.
Local authorities and security agencies have yet to announce any concrete measures to prevent future attacks, leaving the affected communities vulnerable to further violence.
