Farmers across Benue State have raised an alarm over the continuous violent attacks by armed invaders, which they say have transformed the state’s once-fertile farmlands into dangerous killing fields, resulting in widespread hunger, displacement, and fear.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Makurdi, the farmers expressed deep concern over how insecurity has crippled agricultural activities in the state, forcing many to abandon their farms and seek refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Mr. Yande Kumbur, a farmer from Kwande Local Government Area (LGA), lamented the rising danger associated with farming in the state. According to him, the repeated and unprovoked attacks by armed invaders have turned productive lands into battlegrounds, leaving scores of farmers injured, displaced, or dead.
“Farming in Benue has become a life-threatening venture,” Kumbur said. “Our lands, which once fed thousands, are now soaked in blood. Many farmers have lost their lives, and countless others have been driven from their homes.”
Sharing similar sentiments, Mr. Terna Iorver, a farmer from Guma LGA, reflected on the peaceful life they once enjoyed before the wave of violence. He noted that they used to cultivate crops like yam, maize, and guinea corn in abundance.
“We lived in harmony and were productive. Our farms provided food not just for our households, but for others as well. We would leave early in the morning and return at dusk, exhausted but fulfilled,” Iorver recalled.
Mrs. Mnena Utoo, a farmer from Logo LGA, expressed deep sorrow over how the situation has worsened over the years. She recounted how the attacks, which began subtly, escalated into full-blown violence in 2018.
“At first, we raised our concerns, but they responded with threats. Then one night, they struck. They came with guns, burned our homes, killed our men, and forced us to flee into the bushes,” Utoo narrated. “Since then, our lives have never been the same. Last year alone, I lost over seven hectares of rice to cattle grazing. Even in areas that seem calm, we still go to our farms in fear.”
She added that many farmers now reside in IDP camps, relying on aid to survive, a stark contrast to the past when they were providers of food to others.
Echoing these concerns, Mr. John Tyom, also from Kwande, observed that the continuous attacks have led to the mass migration of young people from rural communities to urban areas in search of safety and alternative livelihoods.
“Our youth no longer go to the farms. Farming is gradually becoming an occupation for the elderly. If this trend continues, agriculture in Benue may come to a halt in the near future,” Tyom warned.
The farmers called on relevant authorities and security agencies to urgently address the insecurity, restore peace, and protect farmlands to ensure the state continues to play its vital role in national food production.
