20th April 2025
Tragedy has struck Benue State once again as deadly clashes between farmers and herders have claimed at least 56 lives in the Ukum and Logo districts. According to state authorities, the violence, which unfolded over the weekend, is among the most severe incidents reported this year in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. Governor Hyacinth Alia, in a press briefing earlier today, attributed the attacks to suspected Fulani herders and expressed concern that the death toll could rise further as rescue and recovery efforts continue.4
The conflict, rooted in longstanding disputes over land and water resources, has deepened over the years due to the expanding desertification in the north and population pressure in the south. These clashes are not new to Benue State, often referred to as the “Food Basket of the Nation.” However, the intensity and frequency of the attacks have dramatically increased, displacing thousands and leaving many communities in mourning and fear.
Witnesses from the affected areas described harrowing scenes of destruction, with homes burned, crops destroyed, and families forced to flee in the middle of the night. Emergency services and security agencies have been deployed to the region, but many villagers remain stranded in remote areas without access to aid.
Governor Alia has called on the federal government for immediate intervention and urged for the establishment of lasting security mechanisms to protect rural farming communities. He also appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid retaliatory attacks, emphasizing the need for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation.
The farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria is a complex mix of environmental, economic, and ethnic factors, often flaring up along religious lines in the deeply divided region. Experts warn that without sustained efforts to address the root causes, including climate change, land reform, and better resource management, such violence may continue to escalate.
As the state reels from this latest tragedy, humanitarian organizations have started mobilizing to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to the displaced. Meanwhile, Nigerians across the country have taken to social media to demand justice and call for a more proactive approach to conflict resolution.
This heartbreaking incident serves as yet another reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive peace-building efforts in Nigeria’s rural regions.
