Three farmers killed in fresh herdsmen attack in Gwer West, Benue state

By Benedicta Aboh

Three farmers were brutally murdered in a fresh attack by armed herdsmen in Gilim Ashi village, a settlement along the Naka-Agagbe road in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, has sparked heightened tension and fear in the community and in nearby Naka, the headquarters of the LGA.

A source in the area identified the victims as Ioryer Kwaghkaha, Ayila Atsar, and a yet-to-be-identified individual. They were reportedly shot and attacked while tending to their farms. “The village is a settlement along the Naka-Agagbe road, behind the Government Comprehensive Secondary School in Naka town,” the source said.

The bodies of the deceased were evacuated and deposited at the Naka morgue.

The latest killings follow closely on the heels of another violent incident. Just 24 hours earlier, a traveler was ambushed and killed along the notorious Naka-Makurdi road near Kula village. Although troops of the Nigerian Army reportedly repelled that attack, the assailants returned on Thursday, this time targeting farmers.

“The renewed attacks have heightened fear across communities that are already battling persistent insecurity,” the source added.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Udeme Edet, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.