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A disturbing incident involving armed Fulani herders allegedly forcing their way into farmlands and allowing cattle to graze on harvested crops has ignited fresh anger and calls for urgent action among residents of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State.
In a widely circulated Facebook post on February 11, 2026, commentator D’nkaded Elder Sughnnen Yaaya shared details of an encounter that reportedly occurred the previous afternoon in Mbagagena, Kpav, Mba-mtsar, within the Michihe Council ward of Katsina-Ala. According to the account, herders approached a woman harvesting corn (so-called “Soghun bicola”) on family farmland belonging to the poster’s uncle’s wife. The intruders reportedly ordered her to step aside so their cows could feed on the standing and harvested crops.
The post included images purportedly showing the herders’ cattle inside the farmland amid scattered crop residues, farm tools, and nearby residential structures, amplifying local outrage. The author expressed deep distress, stating that the pictures left him unable to sleep and that, had he been present, he would have invoked “Kwagh u alu la alu la alu”—a Tiv expression signaling readiness for decisive, forceful resistance.
The incident has reignited longstanding grievances in Benue over farmer-herder clashes, open grazing, and perceived impunity by armed herders who cross into communities, destroy crops, and sometimes escalate into deadly confrontations. Many residents view such episodes as evidence of ongoing insecurity and a breakdown in law enforcement, particularly in rural farming areas where livelihoods depend heavily on seasonal harvests.
Elder Yaaya’s post concluded with a lament—“God help Benue State”—echoing a broader sentiment of frustration among communities that have repeatedly appealed for stronger security presence, enforcement of anti-open grazing laws, and protection of farmlands from external encroachment.
The alleged event comes amid continued reports of farmer-herder tensions across parts of North-Central Nigeria, with Benue frequently cited as one of the most affected states. No official confirmation or response from local government authorities, security agencies, or community leaders in Katsina-Ala had been reported at the time of this publication. However, such incidents often prompt swift community mobilization, demands for compensation, and renewed pressure on the state government to address what many describe as existential threats to Tiv agrarian life.
As photos and accounts continue to spread online, the episode underscores the fragile coexistence in rural Benue and the urgent need for sustainable solutions to prevent further escalation of violence and economic sabotage in farming communities.
