Troops thwart attack as communal clash erupts in Benue communities
Security operatives in Benue State successfully repelled an attempted attack by armed herdsmen and swiftly intervened to contain a communal clash between two local government areas on Saturday, in what was a tense and volatile day for residents.
At approximately 3:18 p.m., panic erupted in Atson Village, along the Daudu–Makurdi Expressway, when suspected armed herdsmen invaded farmlands, reportedly destroying crops and forcing farmers to flee. Eyewitnesses said residents scattered in different directions, with some heading toward the Agan Toll Gate and others toward Gbajimba Road.
Security sources confirmed that the herders, who were heavily armed, began chasing farmers off their land before the prompt arrival of security surveillance teams forced them to retreat into the surrounding bush.
“The rapid response of our patrol team deterred the attackers and prevented a potential massacre,” a senior security officer stated.
Calm has since been restored to the area, with joint security patrols now ongoing to safeguard lives, protect farmlands, and prevent a recurrence of the attack.
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Earlier the same day, at around 9:30 a.m., a violent communal clash broke out between the Mbaiase community of Gwer East Local Government Area and Igbinde Village in Konshisha LGA. The confrontation, which is linked to a long-standing dispute, escalated when suspected militias from Mbaiase reportedly launched an assault on Igbinde, part of the Mbagusa/Mbatser Council Ward.
Multiple thatched houses were set ablaze and property worth millions of naira destroyed. Although no loss of life was recorded, the scale of destruction was significant.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with other security agencies, were immediately deployed to the affected area to restore order and de-escalate tensions. Efforts to broker peace between the warring communities have since commenced.
“Stakeholders, including traditional rulers and local government officials from both sides, have been engaged to initiate dialogue and foster reconciliation,” said a source close to the mediation process.
Confidence-building patrols and surveillance operations are currently underway across both Atson and Igbinde to maintain peace and reassure residents of their safety.
Benue State has long grappled with the twin challenges of farmer-herder conflicts and intercommunal violence. However, Saturday’s prompt and coordinated security response underscores a renewed commitment to preserving peace, protecting rural communities, and addressing the root causes of unrest in the region.
By PRNigeria
