Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State in central Nigeria, were plunged into fear and outrage this week after a brutal attack by suspected armed herders at Afubo Island, a riverside community along the Benue River. The violence occurred on Wednesday evening, around 6:15 p.m., in an area that lies less than two kilometres from both the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and the 72 Special Forces Battalion, underscoring the brazen nature of the assault and growing concerns about security in the region.
The assault left a motorised canoe operator, identified as Jerry Saleh, with his limb severed, while three other passengers were seriously wounded in what local residents have described as a sudden and coordinated onslaught. The victims include two brothers, Edoh Adikwu and Adah Adikwu, who sustained deep machete wounds, and an unnamed Tiv farmer, who was rushed to medical facilities with life‑threatening injuries. All the victims have since been admitted to treatment centres, including Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, and Sandra Hospital, Makurdi, receiving urgent medical care.
Eyewitnesses say the violence erupted from a dispute over boat fares. According to accounts from people present at the scene, a motorised canoe travelling from Wadata Market to Afubo Island had around ten passengers who allegedly refused to pay their agreed transportation fees. In what began as a local quarrel, one participant is said to have summoned armed accomplices who were waiting on the island, triggering a sudden and violent escalation. The assailants reportedly ambushed the passengers and nearby residents with machetes and other weapons, targeting communities predominantly made up of Tiv and Agatu indigenous people.
“This was brutal and coordinated,” one resident told local reporters, describing scenes of panic as the attackers struck without warning. Another community member said the normally quiet riverine settlement had become increasingly unsafe, urging security authorities to act “before more lives are lost.”
The lack of an immediate official confirmation from the Benue State Police Command has compounded tensions. As of this report, the police spokesperson in the state had not responded publicly to multiple requests for details about the identities of the attackers, motives, or steps being taken to apprehend those responsible.
Residents and community leaders have appealed directly to the federal and state governments, demanding the dismantling of suspected criminal camps around Afubo Island and enhanced patrols by security forces to safeguard vulnerable riverine communities. They argue that the current situation reflects a broader security challenge that, left unchecked, could encourage further attacks and deepen mistrust in the ability of existing security deployments to protect civilians.
The incident sits against the backdrop of long‑running herder‑farmer conflicts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, particularly in Benue State, which has witnessed cycles of violence over land, water, and grazing rights for decades. Historical clashes between pastoralist groups and farming communities have led to large‑scale attacks, including the Agatu massacres of 2016, which left hundreds dead and thousands displaced, as well as more recent security crises in other areas of Benue.
While this latest episode appears to have begun over a local dispute, its brutality and proximity to major military installations have reignited discussions about insecurity, especially along waterways that link farming and fishing communities. Critics have long argued that the terrain and mobility of such attacks often leave civilians exposed and security responses slow. Some analysts say that the Benue River corridor, despite being critical for transportation and commerce, has had limited protective presence, allowing criminal groups to exploit gaps between security posts.
Benue’s diverse population — comprised of ethnic groups such as the Tiv, Idoma, and Agatu — has endured periodic violence, though not always in such a direct confrontation with heavily armed groups near a state capital. In past years, attacks attributed to suspected herders have claimed scores of lives and displaced thousands. Recent decades have seen repeated flare‑ups linked to environmental pressures, demographic shifts, and competition over grazing and farmland.
At the time of this report, community leaders had begun organising meetings to coordinate local responses, pressing for accountability and increased protection. Family members of the victims have called for swift investigation and the prosecution of those responsible for the assault. Meanwhile, residents remain on edge, with many afraid to travel alone after dusk, especially along stretches of the Benue River where such attacks have occurred.
The attack has also prompted renewed calls from civil society organisations for a comprehensive strategy to address root causes of insecurity in Benue and surrounding states. Advocates emphasise that beyond immediate security measures, long‑term investments in conflict resolution, dialogue between pastoralist and farming communities, and economic development are crucial to prevent recurrence of such violence.
As Makurdi authorities and national security agencies prepare to release more information, residents of Afubo Island and nearby communities continue to mourn the injured and demand answers. The incident has served as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation facing parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the urgent need for solutions that protect lives and livelihoods.
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