A deadly attack on Friday, May 10, in Mbachon and Mbagbe communities, Turan, Yaav Council Ward, Kwande local government area, Benue state, has left four people dead.
The communities, located near the Taraba state border, were targeted at around 5 pm when residents were returning to their compounds.
According to the Nation, a community member Lawrence Akerigba, the gunmen stormed the communities and opened fire, killing four people.
One body was recovered for burial, while three others are still missing, and another person was taken away.
Akerigba expressed concern that the attack could disrupt farming activities, which have just resumed with the onset of rains.
He said: “In Moon district, Kwande Local Government area, the people have had no access to their land for 16 years as it has been completely overrun by herdsmen who have turned it into grazing for their animals.
Lawrence Akerigba said further: “The killings are happening now that farming activities have resumed, saying if nothing was done, it will disrupt farming activities now that rains have set in and appealed to security agencies to protect harmless farmers to return to their farm business so that hunger will not kill them.”
He noted that the community has been struggling to access their land for 16 years due to herdsmen occupation, which has turned their land into grazing grounds.
The Benue police command has yet to confirm the incident, stating that they have not received a report of the killings.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of farmers and the potential impact on food security in the region.
