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Fear and anger have gripped communities in Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area following a sudden influx of migrant cattle herders who residents allege are openly brandishing sophisticated weapons while grazing on farmlands.
The affected communities, including Anyibe, Azege (Mbaya), and Abena Hill, have accused the herders of deliberately destroying crops, blocking access to fish ponds and streams, and preventing fishermen from carrying out their daily activities. The presence of armed men among the herders has heightened anxiety, with locals citing previous deadly attacks in the area as reason for their alarm.
In a swift reaction, a coalition of community leaders and the Gaambetiev Local Government Workers Forum, led by its president Jeyol Hilenen, has submitted a strongly worded petition to all security formations headquartered in Ugonda and copied to traditional rulers, demanding immediate intervention.
The petition specifically highlighted ongoing destruction of farmlands in Azege (Mbaya) community due to uncontrolled grazing, obstruction of fishing activities in Anyibe, and the denial of access to fish ponds around Abena Hill, describing the development as a direct threat to the livelihoods of hundreds of families who depend on farming and fishing.
“The presence and conduct of armed herders have raised serious fear of potential danger based on previous experiences in the area,” the petition reads. “These issues are causing increasing tension and anxiety among residents who rely on farming and fishing as their primary means of survival.”
The petitioners called for urgent verification and on-the-spot assessment by security personnel, lawful removal and relocation of any herding groups operating without authorization, and the deployment of troops to stabilize the affected communities and prevent escalation.
As at press time, security agencies in Logo LGA have acknowledged receipt of the petition and promised to act swiftly, though residents say they are yet to see any visible presence of law enforcement in the troubled communities.
The development comes on the same day prominent Benue son Chief Bemgba Iortyom publicly cautioned the state government against committing ₦1 billion monthly to the proposed Northern Security Trust Fund, insisting that Benue’s resources must first address its own peculiar security challenges, chief among them the persistent farmer-herder crises that continue to claim lives and destroy livelihoods across the state.
