At least 50 communities across 25 council wards in five local government areas (LGAs) in Benue State have been displaced by armed herdsmen.

Data released by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reveals that the worst-hit area is Gwer West Local Government Area, where all 15 council wards have been affected at some point.

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

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

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

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

In Gwer East, Mbalom council ward has also experienced displacement, with residents 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,” said Terna Ager, the SEMA information officer.

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, expressed 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 for 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.