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A fresh incident of farmer-herder conflict has been reported in Anter, Mbalagh area of Makurdi Local Government Area in Benue State, highlighting the persistent challenges of land encroachment and insecurity affecting agricultural activities in the region.
According to a Facebook post by Zege’Orkwande Sughnen Yaaya, a farmer who had prepared his land by spreading chemicals in anticipation of the planting season detailed how he arrived at the site early on June 13, 2026, to carry out clearing work ahead of scheduled ridge-making with helpers. He was reportedly confronted by Fulani herdsmen who had settled on the farmland with their cattle.
The farmer claimed that when he inquired about their presence, the herdsmen asserted their intention to settle on the land and told him to look for another place to farm. The confrontation reportedly turned heated, with the herders insisting they would not leave the area.
The post comes amid broader concerns about Fulani herdsmen occupying farmlands within Makurdi, the Benue State capital, and other parts of the state. Yaaya lamented the situation, urging farmers and hunting youths to come together to address the issue of animals destroying farmlands, while criticizing what he described as misplaced priorities among some political actors and youths focused on decamping and switching camps.
The incident underscores the recurring farmer-herder clashes that have long plagued Benue State, a region known for its agricultural importance. As the rainy season advances and farming activities intensify, such confrontations raise fears of potential escalation and further disruption to food production.
No official comment has been received yet from security agencies or the Benue State government regarding this specific incident. Residents and farmers in the affected areas continue to call for urgent intervention to ensure peaceful coexistence and protection of farmlands.
