Join our WhatsApp channel HERE for the latest Benue news and updates!
In the ongoing cycle of violence plaguing parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, residents of Turan District in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State are mourning yet another deadly incident. On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, suspected armed herders launched an assault that began in Imande Avu (also referred to as Imande Avur) and extended to the neighboring communities of Abande and Mbaikyor. The attack claimed the lives of two innocent farmers—Elder Abur Alam and his son Ikyaabashi (also reported as Ikyaa)—who were reportedly working on their farmland when they were targeted.
According to accounts from affected community members, the assailants, described by locals as Fulani insurgents, carried out the killings in a senseless act of violence that has left families devastated and entire villages abandoned. Many residents have fled their homes in fear for their lives, joining the growing number of internally displaced persons in the region amid fears of further incursions. A public appeal posted on social media by Kummeh Aondona MC Riskid, identifying as a concerned son of Turan, directly addressed Governor Rev. Dr. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, urging immediate intervention to protect vulnerable communities.
The letter highlights deep frustration over the persistent attacks, alleging daily occurrences and even claiming cooperation between some security personnel and the insurgents. It describes the lack of adequate support for grieving families as heartbreaking and calls for swift action to hold perpetrators accountable and restore peace. The plea emphasizes that the people of Turan have endured enough and demand urgent measures to stop the brutality.
Reports from local sources indicate that police confirmation was not immediately available, with the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer stating she had not yet been briefed on the matter at the time of initial inquiries. This latest violence fits into a broader pattern of farmer-herder clashes in Benue State, where disputes over land, grazing rights, and resources have frequently escalated into deadly confrontations, often with ethnic and religious dimensions. Benue, long regarded as Nigeria’s “Food Basket” due to its agricultural productivity, continues to suffer from disruptions caused by such insecurity, affecting farming activities and livelihoods.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who has previously condemned similar attacks and vowed to pursue justice through lawful means, now faces renewed pressure to respond decisively. Community leaders and residents alike are calling for enhanced security deployments, better protection for rural areas, and tangible support for displaced families. As the situation remains tense, many hope that swift and effective measures will prevent further loss of life and help bring stability to the affected districts.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable solutions to the longstanding conflicts in Nigeria’s central region, where ordinary citizens—farmers simply trying to provide for their families—continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
