Over 50 Benue communities displaced by armed herdsmen – Emergency Management Agency

Published

12 months ago

April 27, 2025

Benue State

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.

Up Next

NiMet predicts 3-day thunderstorms, haziness across Nigeria

Don't Miss

Gunmen attack Anambra community, kill one, burn vehicles

Click to comment

HRH Ekwueme of Ochia Kingdom Iynched & kiIIed in Imo.

Published

14 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Gunmen on Friday night killed the traditional ruler of Ochia, Barr Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside security operatives in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The attackers ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a trip abroad earlier in the week.

Some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead. Eyewitness said the monarch and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.

Hrm lives in America, but some in his town accuse him of acquiring lots of wealth coming from the oil in their land and yet they have no nepa (light) and other amenities, and that this angered the youths of his community to take this step. One said Ms Duruaku wrote, “he ate the youth empowerment meant given to him by shell oil company and ran abroad for years”

#Ekwutosblog

Abuja hotel collapse: Wike orders arrest of owner, to convert land to public use

Published

5 days ago

April 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja last Friday, April 4 and announced that the land would be seized for public use.

LIB had reported that the building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.

Visiting the site today April 7, Wike said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.

Wike confirmed that while there were no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. He warned that the outcome could have been far worse.

Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, noting that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He added that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.

Ex-INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega Loses Wife

Published

7 days ago

April 5, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega, wife of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, has passed away.

Her family confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, April 5, 2026, announcing that her Janaiza prayer would be held after the Zuhr prayer at 1:30 p.m. at the National Mosque Abuja.