Suspected armed herders on Tuesday evening, 6 January 2026, killed five farmers in Udeku Maav-Ya community, located in Mbakyol Council Ward, Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria.
According to local sources, the incident occurred at approximately 4:00 p.m. while residents were harvesting yams and bambara nuts. The attack caused immediate panic and disrupted farming activities across the community.
A resident, who identified himself simply as Terna, stated that the assault created a tense atmosphere in the area, leaving people fearful of further violence.
When contacted, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Tersua Yarkwan, confirmed the killings of the five individuals. He explained that the attackers did not immediately retreat, worsening the tension among residents. “The area is a vulnerable border local government that shares an international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon. The terrain complicates security operations,” he said.
Chairman Yarkwan also highlighted the broader impact of such attacks, noting, “The continued assaults during harvest season threaten food security in the region.”
Okay News reports that Akerigba Lawrence, a former Supervisory Councillor in the local government, also condemned the persistent attacks. He noted that residents face ongoing assaults, destruction of crops, homes, and economic trees, as well as restricted access to water sources.
Lawrence identified three of the victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse, and Tersuur Ijighka, while the names of two others remained unknown at the time of reporting. He further stated that search operations were ongoing for residents declared missing following the attack.
He added that schools, churches, and markets in the community have been forced to shut down due to repeated attacks, creating significant social disruption. Efforts to obtain comments from the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as the phone line could not be reached.
The fresh attack comes amid growing concerns over the seasonal influx of armed herders in Benue communities, particularly during the dry season, raising fears about long-term food security and the safety of rural populations.
