Thousands of angry residents have flocked to the streets in protest against the rising cases of herdsmen killings and kidnappings in the area.
The demonstrators, chanting “We no go gree!” blocked major roads, demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies to address the growing insecurity.
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Daniel Oche, lamented the frequent attacks, describing them as a “constant recurrence.”
Accorisng to Daily Post, he also made a shocking revelation, alleging that electricity is always cut off in the community before each attack.
Earlier, residents of Olena community in Asa, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, fled their homes following days of sustained attacks by suspected herdsmen.
The community has been under siege for the past four days, with several persons killed and many others abducted.
A resident, who escaped with his family, confirmed that villagers were forced to flee late Monday night when it became apparent that no help was coming.
“I am currently in Upu. I escaped with my family this night. At the moment, we have all vacated our community. Olena has been under attack for days now,” the distraught villager said.
He lamented that the attackers operated unchallenged, leaving the community in a state of terror.
“They have killed and kidnapped several people. We have been crying for help, but no security agents have come to our rescue. I barely managed to escape with my life and my family tonight. Olena is under serious attack as we speak,” he added.
SaharaReporters reported last week that an intelligence report warned that criminal herders were shifting their focus to the southern part of the country, creating a national dimension for the pastoral crisis in Nigeria.
The report, obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, was titled “A National Emergency: The Escalating Crisis of Pastoral Violence in Nigeria.”
The report by a think thank, SBM Intelligence, reads in part: “The geographical pattern of pastoral violence in Nigeria paints a troubling picture of relentless expansion. Between 2019 and 2025, the North-Central zone remained the most severely affected region, with Benue State enduring over 200 documented attacks, cementing its grim reputation as the epicenter of the crisis.”
“Neighbouring Plateau State followed closely with 150 incidents. Their shared border has transformed into a deadly conflict zone, exemplified by the May 2023 massacre in Mangu, which left 80 people dead, followed seven months later by the Christmas Eve atrocity in Bokkos, which claimed 140 lives.”
© SaharaReporters
