Mass burial for 15 Benue attack victims as farmers face bandits’ levies

Grief and calls for enhanced security marked the mass burial of 15 victims in Efeyi-Utikpi, Benue State, Nigeria. The victims, including women and children, were killed on July 28 by suspected armed herders in the Ugboju District. The attack also destroyed homes and left residents traumatized.

Community leaders implored the federal and state governments to move beyond condemnations and offer tangible protection to vulnerable farming communities. This plea comes as insecurity continues to disrupt agricultural activities and displace residents from their ancestral lands. The burial followed a similar attack on July 12 in Otukpo-Nobi, which resulted in eight deaths.

Meanwhile, insecurity extends to farmers facing extortion. In Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, a farmer reportedly fled his farm after bandits demanded a N500,000 ransom to allow him to harvest his crops. The bandits later abducted his mother when the initial deadline was missed. The farmer managed to pay N200,000, allowing partial harvest, but the remaining produce was left behind as he fled the community.

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They charged him to pay a ransom of N500,000. My father pleaded with them because there was nothing at the moment. He had to plead with them for our lives because contacting the security will only worsen the situation.