Fresh Wave of Bandit Attacks in Benue: Former PDP Ward Chairman, James Akase, Among the Victims
In a heartbreaking and deeply troubling turn of events, several communities in Benue State have once again been thrown into mourning as suspected Fulani bandits launched yet another deadly attack. The violent assault, which occurred on Monday, May 19, 2025, resulted in the death of an unspecified number of villagers, including the immediate past People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Chairman, Hon. James Akase.
Coordinated Attacks on Guma and Gwer West LGAs
According to local sources, the attacks were well-coordinated and targeted multiple rural communities in both Guma and Gwer West Local Government Areas (LGAs). These areas have suffered repeated invasions in the past few years, with thousands of residents displaced from their ancestral homes.
Among the affected communities are Tse Ikpe Ago, located along the Yogbo-Gyungu Aze road in Mbayer/Yandev Council Ward, and Tse Kologa in Mbagune, Nyiev Council Ward. These villages are known for their predominantly farming populations and are considered soft targets due to their remote locations and lack of adequate security presence.
"A Coordinated Assault on Farming Communities"
Speaking under the condition of anonymity due to fears of reprisal, a local resident in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, described the events as nothing short of a calculated and coordinated assault on unarmed farming communities.
“These were coordinated assaults on unarmed farming communities,”
a local eyewitness told journalists in Makurdi.
This is not the first time such communities have come under siege. The rural areas of Benue have, over the past decade, become hotspots for violent herder-farmer clashes, often resulting in deaths, injuries, and massive displacements. Despite repeated calls for federal intervention and enhanced security, the state continues to reel from incessant attacks by armed groups suspected to be Fulani militias.
Hon. James Akase Murdered on His Return Home
One of the most painful losses recorded in the recent attack is the murder of Hon. James Akase, a respected community leader and the former PDP Ward Chairman of Tse-Defam, located in Mba’akov Vengav, Avihijime Council Ward of Gwer West LGA. According to reliable local sources, Akase had previously been displaced by similar attacks in the past but decided to return to his community due to severe hunger and the need to fetch food from his farmland.
Tragically, this return home would be his last.
“In Gwer West, the Fulani militias ambushed and brutally murdered Hon. James Akase of Tse-Defam, Mba’akov Vengav, Avihijime Council Ward,”
the local source confirmed.
His death has not only sent shockwaves through his immediate community but has also raised serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Benue State.
Confirmation by Local Authorities
Confirming the tragic killing, the Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Area, Victor Ormin, told reporters that Akase was killed while trying to gather food from his farmland.
“He went to get some food from his farm and was unfortunately killed. Another man was also kidnapped yesterday, but his family paid a ransom, and he was released later in the night,”
Ormin stated during an interview with local media.
Ormin’s comments underscore the grim reality that nowhere seems safe anymore for the ordinary Benue farmer. The combination of killings and kidnappings has created an environment of fear and anxiety, making farming—a primary occupation for most residents—an increasingly dangerous task.
Ongoing Insecurity in Benue: A Crisis Without End
The recent attacks have once again drawn attention to the long-standing insecurity crisis in Benue State, especially in the Guma and Gwer West LGAs. These areas have consistently ranked among the most affected by herder-farmer conflicts, with hundreds of people killed in the last five years alone.
The root causes of this crisis are complex and multifaceted. Key issues include:
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Land disputes between indigenous farmers and nomadic herders,
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Ethno-religious tensions,
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Weak security architecture, and
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Failure of federal intervention and enforcement of laws, particularly the Benue Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017.
Despite the enactment of this law, which seeks to ban open grazing and promote ranching, enforcement has been spotty, and the attacks have continued unabated.
Impact on Local Communities and Agriculture
The human toll of the attacks is staggering, but the economic and psychological impact is equally devastating. Many residents have fled their homes and are now living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps under extremely harsh conditions. Farms have been abandoned, crops destroyed, and livestock stolen. As a result, food insecurity is now a looming threat for many families.
Benue, known as the "Food Basket of the Nation," is gradually losing its agricultural productivity due to these persistent attacks.
A Cry for Help: Where is the Government?
Residents and civil society groups are once again calling on both the state and federal governments to take urgent and decisive action to stop the killings. Community leaders argue that mere condemnations are no longer enough; what is needed is a sustained security presence and real justice for the victims.
There is also growing frustration with the seeming lack of consequences for those who commit these heinous crimes. Most of the attackers escape arrest and continue to terrorize communities with impunity.
What Needs to Happen Now
To bring lasting peace to Benue and similar states experiencing such violence, several measures must be urgently implemented:
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Massive deployment of security forces to rural communities most at risk.
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Full enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law to prevent further clashes between farmers and herders.
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Investment in rural security infrastructure, including local vigilante support with government oversight.
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Swift prosecution and punishment of attackers to deter future incidents.
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Resettlement and compensation for displaced persons to allow them to rebuild their lives.
Conclusion: Benue Bleeds Again
The killing of Hon. James Akase and other innocent villagers is a painful reminder that the people of Benue are still under siege. As the state mourns yet again, it is critical for all stakeholders—government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders—to come together and find a lasting solution.
Until that happens, the question remains: How many more lives must be lost before something is done?
