Over 50 Benue communities displaced by armed herdsmen – Agency

No fewer than 50 communities across 25 council wards in five local government areas in Benue State have been displaced by armed herdsmen, Benue State Emergency Management Agency has revealed.

According to the data released by the Benue SEMA, the worst-hit area is Gwer West Local Government Area, where all 15 council wards have been affected at some point.

These affected wards include Sengev, Gbaange/Tongov, Saav, Mbapupuu/Tswarev, Mbabuande Kyaav, Mbapa, Tsambe/Mbesev, Sengev/Yengev, Merkyegh, Nyamshi, Tijime, Tyough Ater, and Njaha.

SEMA released the report just days before the latest attacks in Ukum, Logo, Otukpo and Gwer East LGAs.

The report titled, “Displaced Communities in Benue State Where Fulanis Have Settled with Their Cows,” listed the affected local governments to include Guma, Gwer East, Gwer West, Kwande, and Makurdi.

In Guma LGA, the marauding herders have invaded and occupied several communities in six council wards – Mbadwem, Nyiev, Mbaba, Uvir, and Mbayer/Yandev.

In Gwer East, residents in Mbalom council ward have also been displaced with many fleeing to safer areas.

The report further shows that at least two communities in Mbalagh and one in Bar council wards in Makurdi, the state capital, have also fallen to the attackers.

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,” SEMA information officer, Terna Ager, said.

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.

Ihagh, who is from Moon ward in Kwande LGA, claimed 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 on 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.