People in the Dyom settlement of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State are on edge because they have heard that armed Fulani herdsmen and robbers have taken over farms and homes in the area.
Eyewitnesses say that the herdsmen and bandits have set up strongholds in and around the community. They often camp near homes and then run away to nearby farms when security forces or members of the local vigilante group, Anyam Nyor, are seen.
A local named Terhile Uma told our reporter on the phone that the situation is intolerable and hazardous, and that it is causing stress, according to The Nation.
“Our house is adjacent to the Dyom village, and as soon as the herders hear that soldiers or the Benue security force known as “Anyam Nyor” are nearby, they abandon our property and hide in our farmland. The alleged bandits and their boys are all over the place. We can’t eat, cultivate, or even move around our homes freely. What kind of evil is this?
The homeowner further said that most villagers are too scared to speak up because they are afraid of being attacked again.
People say that the bandits are acting like the late Terwase Agwaza, also known as Gana, by taking taxes on market days and acting like they are in charge.
Reports say that several families have left their farms, while others are stuck in their homes out of fear of violence.
Local sources claim that the continued violence has made it hard for farmers and businesses to operate, leading to more food shortages and people moving.
When we called, Police Public Relations Officer Edem Edet, a DSP, stated she hadn’t had the reports yet.
At the time of writing, security agencies had not yet made an official comment about the situation.
But community leaders are asking the Benue State government and the military to step in right away to restore calm and keep citizens safe from more attacks.
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