A routine harvest season turned deadly on Tuesday evening in Benue State after armed attackers stormed a farming community in Kwande Local Government Area, killing at least five people and forcing residents to flee their homes.

The incident occurred in Udeku Maav Ya community, located in Mbakyol Council Ward of the Turan district, where farmers were gathering yams and bambara nuts when the assault began. According to multiple local sources, the attack took place at about 4 pm and left the area gripped by fear and uncertainty.

Residents said the violence disrupted agricultural activities at a critical moment in the farming calendar, compounding existing concerns about rural insecurity and food production in the state.

How the attack unfolded

Speaking to journalists, a community member who identified himself simply as Terna said the sudden assault caused widespread panic, with people abandoning their farms and running for safety.

“The attack happened when people were harvesting yams and bambara nuts,” he said. “Activities in the community were completely disrupted. People had to run to save their lives.”

According to reports by The Punch, suspected armed herders carried out the attack, targeting farmers who were working on their fields. Witnesses said gunshots rang out across the community, leaving several people dead and others unaccounted for.

The exact circumstances that led to the assault remain unclear, but residents described it as part of a pattern of recurring violence in the area.

Local government confirms five deaths

The Chairman of Kwande Local Government Area, Tersua Yarkwan, confirmed that five farmers were killed in the attack. He said the situation was particularly tense because the attackers did not immediately withdraw from the community after carrying out the assault.

“The attackers did not leave the area immediately after the attack, which caused serious tension among residents,” Yarkwan said.

He described Kwande as a vulnerable border local government, noting that it shares an international boundary with Cameroon and is characterised by difficult terrain that complicates security operations.

According to him, the geography of the area has continued to pose challenges for security agencies responding to attacks, often allowing assailants to strike quickly and retreat before help arrives.

Food security concerns deepen

Beyond the immediate loss of lives, Yarkwan warned that repeated attacks on farmers during harvest season pose a significant threat to food security in Benue State and the wider region.

“These attacks are happening during harvest, and that is dangerous for our food security,” he said, adding that fear has discouraged many farmers from returning to their fields.

Benue is widely regarded as Nigeria’s food basket due to its large-scale production of crops such as yam, rice, maize and soybeans. Analysts say sustained violence against farming communities could reduce output, push up food prices and worsen economic hardship, especially at a time when inflation remains high nationwide.

A local agricultural extension officer, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said insecurity has become one of the biggest threats to rural livelihoods in the state.

“When farmers are attacked at harvest time, it discourages future planting,” he said. “People begin to ask whether it is worth the risk.”

Community leaders recount repeated attacks

A former Supervisory Councillor in Kwande Local Government Area, Akerigba Lawrence, described the latest killings as part of a long-running cycle of violence against Udeku Maav Ya community.

According to Lawrence, residents have endured repeated attacks that have resulted in the destruction of farms, homes and economic trees, as well as restrictions on access to water sources.

“Our people are constantly under attack,” he said. “Farms are destroyed, houses are burnt, economic trees are cut down, and access to water has been blocked.”

Lawrence identified three of the victims as Tyozua Gyuse, Gbaga Gyuse and Tersuur Ijighka. He said the identities of two other victims had not yet been confirmed as of the time of filing the report.

He also disclosed that search operations were ongoing to locate some residents who were declared missing after the attack, raising fears that the death toll could rise.

Humanitarian impact on daily life

According to Lawrence, the repeated violence has had a crippling effect on daily life in the community. Schools, churches and markets have been forced to shut down at various times due to insecurity, deepening what he described as a growing humanitarian crisis.

“When schools and markets are closed, it affects education, trade and social life,” he said. “People are gradually being pushed out of their homes.”

Local observers say displacement from rural communities in Kwande has increased over the years, with many families seeking refuge in neighbouring towns or staying with relatives in safer areas.

Silence from security agencies

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack. Residents said security personnel were yet to establish a visible presence in the affected community, further heightening anxiety.

A security analyst based in Makurdi noted that delayed responses often worsen fear and erode public confidence.

“When people do not see a quick response, it sends a signal that attackers can act with impunity,” he said. “That perception alone can drive displacement.”

The latest killings come amid renewed national debate about rural security, farmer safety, and the protection of food supply chains. Attacks during harvest season are particularly damaging because they affect both current yields and future farming decisions.

Experts warn that if violence continues unchecked in key agricultural zones like Kwande, the economic and social consequences could extend far beyond Benue State.

What to watch next includes whether security agencies will step up patrols along border communities, how state authorities will support displaced farmers, and whether long-term measures will be implemented to address recurring attacks in vulnerable rural areas.

The killing of five farmers in Udeku Maav Ya community underscores the persistent insecurity facing rural areas of Benue State. Beyond the immediate tragedy, the attack raises pressing questions about farmer safety, food security, and the effectiveness of current security measures. As residents mourn their dead and search for the missing, attention now turns to whether authorities can prevent further violence and restore confidence among communities whose livelihoods depend on the land.