…Over 598 Declared Dead In Herdsmen Attacks On Gwer-West Communities Alone
MAKURDI
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that the Federal Government (FG) will probe claims suggesting that soldiers deployed to Benue State may have been involved in exacerbating the rise of attacks by herdsmen against local communities in Benue.
While he also vowed that the FG would unearth those that were found to be colluding with herders, he observed that the military has access to intelligence and it would deal with such issues that may arise in the course of their investigations.
The NSA, which dropped the hint while fielding questions from Journalists over allegations that soldiers posted on duty in the state were colluding with herdsmen, a situation which has heightened herdsmen attacks across the state.
Closely related, the Ter Nagi, HRH, Chief Daniel Abomtse, told the NSA that in Gwer-West LGA alone, between 2011 and 2025, affected communities have lost 598 persons in 154 attacks, adding that presently he Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West, have no homes, as a result of the consistent attacks by herders on the LGA.
He requested that the NSA tell the President that the people of the state have an existing law, the Anti-Open Grazing Law, which it has activated, therefore, the FG should take advantage of it.
It was also alleged that soldiers in most of the affected communities have farms and that when the herdsmen destroy the farms of peasant farmers, the farms owned by the soldiers were left untouched, a situation which has heightened the suspicion of the locals that the soldiers were conniving with the herdsmen.
Speaking with members of some of the affected communities, INDEPENDENT learned that due to the long stay of some of these soldiers, some of them even have children in those areas.
As previously mentioned, certain impacted communities have voiced their objections to the ongoing presence—and sometimes prolonged deployment—of soldiers stationed in various areas within the state.
In response to allegations about soldiers collaborating with herders, the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, stated, “I’ve heard these claims. I have noted them down, and we will investigate further. You have my assurance that actions will be taken.”
There are numerous matters we’ve covered, both during confidential briefings and, naturally, through discussions with traditional leaders who will be revitalized. This includes everything you’ve just mentioned.
There are additional regions that have been pinpointed. Furthermore, we possess operational presence and gather intel from individuals operating within these communities. What I can confirm is that my presence here today signifies our unity and collective approach to treating this matter as an issue of national security.
Some of these problems have persisted since 2011. We remain resolute and intend to keep working diligently. We support the actions taken by the governor, who appears to be rallying individuals to tackle this issue head-on. This matter does not pertain to ethnicity or religion; rather, it concerns criminal elements targeting unsuspecting citizens. It is crucial for us all to unite without regard to political affiliations and address this challenge together.
“I am here to inform you that both the military and security forces are fully operational and intend to keep improving their efforts. While we might not claim with absolute certainty that we’re achieving everything expected, rest assured that we are committed to doing even more,” Ribadu stated confidently.
In his remarks at the meeting, HRH, Chief Daniel Abomtse, said, “You have assuaged our minds and anxiety. First and foremost, let us register our solidarity, loyalty, and unflinching support to the government of his excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that of his excellency, the governor of the state, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.
“The National Security Adviser, you have said it that when evil befalls a people, the good people come together to challenge it and defeat it. The governor is working well, doing well, and you as the federal government, should stand with him.
“Let me take you a few minutes down memory lane on what we are here for and what you have come for. It started in my local government on the 8th of February, 2011, myself and the senator sitting, my son Senator Zam, have no settlement, we have no village, we have no home.
It has been looted, devastated, leaving us in shambles and dispersed; surviving in barren refugee camps, confined as internally displaced persons. I am a ruler overseeing 15 regions, and as I speak with you, we possess nothing and huddle together at the local government’s base, entirely reliant on whatever aid the governor provides, myself included. The circumstances are truly deplorable.
This scenario persisted incessantly, spreading rampantly like an outbreak, affecting over sixty-six percent of the local administrations in Benue State. The epicenters include Gwer-West, Makurdi, Guma, Kwande, Logo, Ukum Agatu, Otukpo, and Katsina-Ala. Its impact has been devastating.
Chief Abomtse, “We believe your words, and I alone for my local government,t I take stock of the daily killings, the mass murder. The total population as of 17th April, 2025, is 598 (persons that died as a result of the herdsmen attacks). The frequency of attacks is 154 attacks since 2011. I have a compendium of the record here that I shall deliver to you, so you can go through it and see and know what we are going through in this land.
“We value your presence; please inform Mr. President that in Benue, we have a law prohibiting open grazing, which has been implemented, and we would like the federal government to emphasize this,” Abomtse said, receiving applause.
In the meantime, Chief Pharaoh Acka, a prominent figure in Mbamar, Ugndo, within the Logo Local Government Area of the state, mentioned that their community alone suffered the loss of approximately 22 individuals during the assault carried out by the herders last Friday.
He also said, that security men should be given direct orders to station their units in trouble prone areas, so that they can patrol the surrounding villages on motor bikes.
Acka was concerned because “Security personnel tend not to set up camps in the villages. Instead, they usually position themselves at the local government headquarters whenever they are deployed to control conflicts.”
Often, you encounter them once the killings have taken place, despite being notified about the ongoing massacre, arriving merely to bully and terrify the defenseless villagers.
“So security agents should be ordered or directed to station their units in trouble-prone areas so that they can patrol the surrounding villages on motorbikes.
“This will go a long way in curtailing the nefarious activities of herdsmen and hoodlums”, he proffered.
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