Suspected herdsmen have killed two farmers in separate attacks in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, raising fresh concerns over the escalating insecurity in the region.
The tragic incidents reportedly occurred on Wednesday near Naka, the council headquarters.
One victim was attacked and killed at Atukpu village, approximately one kilometre from Naka along the Taraku-Naka road.
On the same day, another farmer was murdered along the Naka-Adoka road.
Local sources disclosed that all major access routes to Naka, including the Makurdi-Naka road, have become unsafe due to persistent herdsmen attacks.
“Even commuters are avoiding these roads for fear of being ambushed,” one resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
“The victims’ corpses were retrieved with a wheelbarrow, as no vehicles could access the area.”
The attacks follow recent unrest in the same local government area, where aggrieved youths staged violent protests over insecurity, setting ablaze the council secretariat, the traditional ruler’s palace, and several homes of prominent indigenes.
Reacting to the latest killings, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Mr. Victor Ormin, confirmed the incidents and decried the deteriorating security situation.
“A young man was murdered while trying to get roofing materials for his house, and another person was killed on the Adoka-Naka axis. These attacks are becoming a daily occurrence,” he lamented.
Mr. Ormin also expressed concern over the effectiveness of the current security deployment in the area, despite Governor Hyacinth Alia’s efforts to restore peace.
“Naka is no longer safe. These attacks are happening just five kilometres from town. It’s truly worrisome,” he added.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for official comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
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