The deadly incidents occurred in Ayilamo, Tombo ward of Logo Local Government Area, and in Jato-Acka, Kwande Local Government Area.
No fewer than nine farmers lost their lives on Friday afternoon in coordinated attacks by suspected herdsmen on two communities in Benue State, despite ongoing security operations in the area.
The deadly incidents occurred in Ayilamo, Tombo ward of Logo Local Government Area, and in Jato-Acka, Kwande Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses reported that more than 20 armed men stormed Jato-Acka around 4pm, firing indiscriminately at residents and setting homes ablaze. Six people were killed on the spot.
Meanwhile, shortly after the Jato-Acka attack, the assailants advanced to Ayilamo through the Ikyungwa axis, where they reportedly killed three more individuals, including an officer of the Benue State Livestock Guard.
Daily Post reports that a community leader in Ayilamo, Tyovenda Igyutu, credited the timely intervention of security operatives -comprising soldiers and police – for preventing further bloodshed.
“Ayilamo could have been completely overrun if not for the swift response of the troops,” he said.
Confirming the incident, a youth leader in Jato-Acka, Lawrence Akerigba, described the attack as a brutal invasion that left many in the community traumatised.
“The invaders came around 4pm, shot several people, and set houses ablaze,” he said.
The latest violence adds to the toll of lives lost in recurring clashes between herdsmen and farming communities in Benue, a state at the centre of Nigeria’s farmer-herder conflict.
Reporters on Friday reported that an All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader from Apa Local Government Area, Comrade Jerry Jeremiah, and the District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu LGA, Chief Adejo Anthony Denison, both of Benue State, were killed by gunmen while working on their farms.
The incident happened on Wednesday along the Otukpo-Otobi-Akpa Road in Otukpo Local Government Area. The victims were said to be carrying out farming activities when they were attacked by the assailants.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the farmland, although located in Otukpo LGA, is widely leased by people from surrounding areas, including Agatu, for agricultural use.
The killing took place just a day after another APC chieftain and six other individuals were murdered in separate attacks across Gwer East and Makurdi LGAs.
Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mavis James Ejeh, confirmed the death of the traditional ruler during a phone interview with journalists.
“Chief Tony Adejo was killed while working on his farm in Otobi by armed men. Despite this tragic incident, Odugbeho remains calm. We urge our people not to take the law into their own hands,” Ejeh said.
