By Godwin O. Odeh, Ph.D.
The barbaric massive massacre of a well over 100 persons in Yelwata village in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, on Saturday, 14th June, 2025, has drawn national and international attention and condemnation. Under the previous administration of Governor Samuel Ortom, alias the defender of Benue Valley, in which 5,138 persons loss their lives to herdsmen activities and crisis (Godfrey George and John Charles, Punch, 14th March, 2023).
The point is, from 2015 to June, 2025 the repeated herdsmen attacks under the current administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia, might have put the number of deaths to a staggering figure of about 6000 souls. This is brazenly a conflict and a war as Lewis Coser in A M. Adejo (2004), would have us know that: “conflicts comes from the incompatibility of goals…a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power and resources in which the aim of the opponent are to neutralize, injure or eliminate their rivals”.
It appears the elimination of rivals (indigenous farmers and people) through killing and displacement for land acquisition is of course what has been going on in Benue communities. In this situation, the people and the government are not to seat idly or be decidedly adamant and ignorant, but to step up security architecture.
The resurgence of the atrocities of what seems to be strange herdsmen in Benue State under the APC led administration of Governor Alia, has raised serious concerns among analysts, commentators, civil societies, scholars, stakeholders and the general public about the effectiveness of the state’s security measures and the governor’s commitment to protecting the life and property of the citizens.
The general opinion has severally noted that the species of Fulani causing havoc in the State are not the Nigerian type but that collaboration may not be absolutely rolled out. The killer species don’t move with cattle but come purely for attack. However, given the way and manner the activities of these mindless killers subsided under the leadership of Samuel Ortom, due to the Anti-Open Grazing Laws, one may be compelled to ask, what really went wrong , resulting into the resurgence and escalation of wanton killing of the defenseless famers and innocent citizens of the state?
One of the critical factors that leads to the resurgence of the conflict and carnage seems to be the alleged abandonment of anti-grazing laws and the colossal failure to put in place necessary security facilities and measures. Benue State had previously enacted the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to regulate grazing activities and prevent conflicts between herders and crops farmers.
The law seems to be a well-intentioned effort to address the root causes of the conflict and promote peaceful co-existence between the two groups (the previously known nonviolent local herdsmen and indigenous farmers). However, after some period in office, the current administration set aside the laws and failed to effectively enforced and implement it, leading to a resurgence of violent clashes between herders and farmers. If there is a law, let it be obeyed.
As a matter of fact, the lack of effective security measures has emboldened killer herdsmen to attack Tiv and Idoma communities in Guma, Gwer, Otukpo, Apa, Adoka, Okete and other part of Ohimini, Okpokwu, etc., leading to loss of life, destruction of properties and displacement of people.
In short, the failure to establish ranches and provide adequate security created the ecosystem in which herders can freely move and attack farmers resulting to breakdown of law and order. The concomitant effect of this is the humanitarian crisis with many forced to leave their homes and means of livelihoods. This recurring herdsmen crisis leads to the establishment of numerous IDPs camps in the state, a thing previously unknown to the people.
Against the backdrop of the above Governor Alia’s administration has been criticized for its inability to protect the people of the state and prevent these attack under his watch. The governor’s response to the crisis has been questioned with many calling for more decisive action to address the root causes of the carnage instead of depending and waiting for FG deployment of security from Abuja.
The lack of communication and engagement with the communities is not only about the governor but other political elites from the state. The absence of engagement and communication compounded the situation, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty, mistrust and suspicion. If not for ethics and professionalism for not taking laws into one’s hands, Benue is a known home of generals in the military and senior personnel in other national security outfits.
To competently combat this crisis, the State Government must prioritize the implementation of Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, provide adequate security facilities, be proactive and take a responsive approach rather than simply reacting to attacks after they have occurred and as noted, engaging with local communities in finding lasting solutions.
Thus, establishing functional ranches if possible, deploying adequate security personnel to protect communities, engaging with the local communities to identify underling issues and providing support for compensation to victims of repeated attacks are recommended.
In brief, His Excellency Vice-Admiral MH Nyako, an accomplish farmer, condemns what is happening in Benue State and criticizes roaming the country forage by cattle herders as counterproductive. In his words, Nyako, passionately interrogates, thus: “What is the bone of contention in our society between herdsman and the crop farmer, who should be the best of business partners/friends but are now at loggerheads with occasional clashes that lead to loss of lives and property?
He further proffers thus: “Alimentation is the order of the day: roaming the country side looking for fodder is unproductive and no longer acceptable as it gives rise to the friction/clashes between the herdsmen and grain farmers and a sense of bitterness even if he/she is the same person… Our grazing reserve must… be developed into lush pastures owned by whoever for commercial “green” production for cattle or marketing to cattle owners.
One dares say that farming quality green could be more profitable business than farming grains, or rearing of cattle!… there is a lot to be available for mutual benefits!… any success in this endeavour would not only lead to elimination of suspicion/clashes between the herdsman (cattle and goat farmers) and the grain farmer but it would also be clear to both of them that they need one another”.
The point is, wandering of animals from farm to farm is fundamentally obsolete and no longer practicable. The U.S. government noticed this and came up with a law in 1874 and intermittently ever since, both the herdsman and crop farmers were given incentive to do their businesses.
In conclusion, the resurgence of the atrocities of killer herdsmen in Benue State, is a thing of serious concern that requires immediate action. The governor’s alleged abandonment or relapsing of anti-open grazing laws and the failure to provide the necessary security facilities no doubt fertilizes the ground for the crisis and the carnage.
To arrest the ugly trend and restore peace and security, the governor must take decisive action to address the root causes of the conflict and prioritize the safety and wellbeing of his people. Except these are done in Benue State, the occasional and even repeated visit of the President, National Security Adviser and Service Chiefs, would amount to exercise in futility.
*Godwin O. Odeh, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer with the Department of History and International Studies, Sokoto State University, Nigeria, a Public Affairs Analyst, and the Editor, Satiru International Journal of Peace and Security Studies (A biannual publication of the Department).
