Some rural communities in Benue, Kaduna and other states in the country, are becoming centres of attacks by marauding herdsmen and rampaging bandits. The attacks have been on the increase, lately, leaving in their trails loss of lives and destruction of property. The relevant government agencies must rise to the occasion and stop the assaults on the residents of the affected communities.
In their latest offensive, gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen militia, killed three persons in separate attacks on two communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, on May 7. About seven council wards were overrun by herdsmen in the attacks in Tse Vambe in Mbagwa council ward and Tse Ortim Torough Mbanyiar community.
The Monday attack came on the heels of a similar incident in which the assailants invaded Opaha, Odogbo and Edikwu communities of Apa Local Government Area of the state, late April, killing about 10 residents and wounding others. Similar attack took place in Umuogidi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, in which 46 persons including a policeman, were killed. Elsewhere, no fewer than 50 persons were feared killed during a four-day assault by suspected herdsmen who invaded some communities in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
In April, it was estimated that the murderous activities of the lawless pastoralists accounted for over 200 deaths in Benue, within one month. Following the killing of 134 people in five days, Governor Samuel Ortom had on April 8 called for help from the Federal Government. Benue State has the worst record of herdsmen attacks with over 2.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).
In Kaduna State, the situation is not entirely different. Bandits have literally taken over communities in the rural areas, turning them to killing fields. In an attack on Runji community, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state, the criminals, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen killed 27 residents and set some houses ablaze. The gunmen invaded the community and opened fire on the villagers who were already asleep, leaving some of the victims burnt beyond recognition.
The attacks on Benue and Kaduna communities are pointers to the rising tide of insecurity in many parts of the country. Other states have had their share of disturbances and resultant killings. In Ondo State, armed herdsmen recently attacked the Ago-Oyinbo community at Ala Forest Reserve in Akure North Local Government Area, killing a 50-year-old farmer, Olaoluwa Olorunfemi and injuring eight other persons.
Within two weeks in April, 30 people were killed in Plateau State, and many others injured in some communities in attacks by gunmen, according to reports by the leadership of a group, the Plateau State Youth Council, Coalition of Plateau State Indigenous Youths (YOWICAN). The group also said several farms were destroyed by the assailants.
In a related development, bandits launched an attack on some communities in Niger State, killing 11 people, including a Major in the Nigerian Army and three other soldiers, in March. Also, six local vigilante members in the affected communities were killed by the bandits. The attack occurred in an ambush, during which the Major and members of the local vigilante were killed.
We condemn the rising spate of killings, especially since after the 2023 general election. The attacks indicate that contrary to the claims by the government, the activities of the criminals have not been degraded. More actions are required on the part of the government to stem the tide of the assaults on innocent citizens.
Benue, Kaduna, Niger and Ondo states belong to the food basins of the country. Harassment of the residents in the rural communities will scare farmers from farming. This will affect the nation’s food supply chain and hunger index. Since Benue and Kaduna states are multi-ethnic entities, any poor management of attacks in their communities can pose a serious threat to national security.
Let the security agencies be provided with the necessary mobilisation and encouragement to confront the criminal elements behind the attacks and nip their actions in the bud. Enhanced intelligence gathering and sharing is required in getting at the roots of the recurring mayhem. Residents and community leaders should be encouraged to volunteer information to the security agencies on suspicious movement of strangers among them.
There is need for increased presence of policemen and other security personnel in the areas under attacks. Palliatives and rehabilitation efforts should be extended to the victims of the heinous attacks. Above all, government must come up with a lasting solution to the incessant invasion of communities by bandits and suspected herdsmen.