Fresh insecurity has erupted in parts of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, following allegations that a local militia led by a man identified as Oraernyi, also known as “Heavy,” is working with armed herders to carry out violent attacks and destroy farmlands in the Mbajir community.
Residents reported that the situation escalated on Sunday when farmlands in Tse Akoso were allegedly set ablaze and vandalised by armed groups, forcing several villagers to flee their homes in fear.
A resident, who preferred not to be named, claimed that a community leader (name withheld) has been issuing threats to silence victims. According to him, the leader warned that anyone who speaks about the activities of the armed herders or their local collaborators would face severe consequences, including death.
“The threats are meant to stop people from exposing what is going on and to hide the involvement of local actors in the attacks,” the resident said.
He further alleged that the militia group led by “Heavy” often operates alongside armed herders during attacks on villages such as Tse Akoso and Danzulu, giving the impression that the violence is solely the work of the herders.
According to him, two known herders identified as Bado and Musa, who have reportedly taken part in earlier attacks, are being shielded by the militia. “They are now operating from a new camp between Tse Dunchi and Abony, near the Ukum boundary, an area that residents abandoned due to past violence,” he said.
He warned that if urgent steps are not taken, the continued attacks could permanently displace villagers from their ancestral homes, as the perpetrators keep destroying yam and cassava farms across Mbajir.
“We are appealing to traditional rulers, the chairmen of Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas, and the Benue State Government to intervene immediately before more lives are lost,” he pleaded.
Residents also called for the immediate removal of armed herders from their communities to forestall further attacks and restore peace.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.
