BLACK JULY:Benue killings worsen after Miyetti Allah leader shot dead

The Benue South region of Nigeria, historically known for its resilience and agricultural productivity, is now gripped by a pervasive atmosphere of fear and violence. What were once vibrant farming communities have transformed into landscapes of terror, marked by gunfire, bereaved families, and deserted villages.

Residents describe the current period as one of the darkest in their history, with communities across Otukpo, Ohimini, Okpokwu LGAs, and surrounding areas facing continuous assaults by suspected armed herders. Hardly a week passes without reports of killings, kidnappings, or the displacement of entire communities. While Benue State has experienced insecurity for years, many believe the crisis intensified significantly after the June 26, 2026, assassination of Ardo Risku Muhammad, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and his associate, Yakubu Isah.

The murder of Ardo Risku, widely condemned, appears to have triggered a new wave of bloodshed. Since this incident, Benue South has witnessed a disturbing succession of attacks targeting farmers, traders, clerics, academics, women, children, and travelers. Villages that were once centers of commerce and agriculture now live under the constant threat of attack, forcing many residents to sleep with one eye open or abandon their ancestral homes altogether.

The impact on the region's economy has been devastating. Agriculture, the lifeblood of families and local economies, has been severely curtailed as residents fear ambushes while working their fields. A community leader from Otukpo lamented, "People no longer think about harvest. Every day is about survival. We don’t know who will be attacked next or which village will be invaded."

The frequency of these attacks has amplified the pervasive fear. The killing of former Benue State Secretary to the State Government, Prof. David Salifu, along the Wukari–Joota Road, further deepened public anxiety. This wave of insecurity continues to disrupt lives and livelihoods across the region.

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People no longer think about harvest. Every day is about survival. We don’t know who will be attacked next or which village will be invaded.