Villagers Nab Notorious Yam Thief Myom in Tse Dugwer, Benue State

In a dramatic turn of events in rural Nigeria, villagers in Tse Dugwer, Benue State, have apprehended a man accused of repeatedly stealing yams from local farms. The incident, which unfolded on October 19, 2025, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by farmers in one of Nigeria’s key agricultural regions.

According to reports from local sources, the suspect, identified as Myom, was first spotted late on the night of October 18 uprooting yams from a farm—estimated at around 40 heaps. Myom’s mother hails from nearby Mbatinyam, and he is married into the Tse Dugwer community, making his alleged actions all the more shocking to residents. The farm owner quickly alerted the village vigilante group, but the suspect managed to flee before they could apprehend him.

Luck ran out for Myom early the next morning when he was caught red-handed committing the same act on another person’s farm. Some of the stolen yams were reportedly recovered from a buyer, suggesting a possible network for offloading the pilfered produce. The suspect is now in custody as investigations continue.

Locals have praised the vigilance of community members, with many warning that “the days of farm thieves are numbered.” This sentiment reflects a growing determination among rural communities to protect their livelihoods amid rising incidents of agricultural theft.

Benue State, often called the “Food Basket of the Nation,” is renowned for its yam production, which forms a cornerstone of the local economy. However, farmers in the region face significant challenges, including post-harvest losses due to factors like pest attacks, poor storage, and theft. Studies indicate that yam losses in Benue can average around 43.57% from environmental and institutional issues, with theft being a notable contributor. In the North-East Zone of Benue alone, theft is listed among key causes of post-harvest losses, alongside inadequate transportation and market underdevelopment.

Broader insecurity in the state has exacerbated these problems, leading to displacement of farming communities and restricted access to farmlands. Stakeholders have linked the surge in farm thefts to Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis, which has driven petty crimes in agricultural areas. Similar concerns have been raised in neighboring regions, where produce theft has left many farmers counting substantial losses.

This arrest serves as a reminder of the resilience of Benue’s farming communities and the critical need for enhanced security measures to safeguard Nigeria’s agricultural output. As investigations proceed, residents hope this will deter future thefts and allow them to focus on what they do best: feeding the nation.