Over the weekend, members of the Benue Livestock Guards narrowly escaped death when armed herdsmen attacked them in Kwua community, near Makurdi Modern Market.
The attack followed the impoundment of several cattle by the livestock guards, which had grazed on local farms and destroyed crops.
The crisis began around 5 p.m. on Friday when herdsmen led their cattle into the community to graze. Acting on a tip-off, the guards confronted the herdsmen and impounded the cattle.
An eyewitness reported, “The herders then mobilized their brothers and friends, armed with guns and knives, and came back for the BSLG personnel who were moving the impounded cattle to a designated government confinement center pending the arrival of their owners.
“They intercepted and confronted the guards near the Makurdi Modern Market gate, shooting sporadically and attacking people with knives to forcefully recover the impounded cattle. Several people, including livestock guards, sustained serious injuries.
“The crisis caused panic in the area, disrupting commercial and business activities as people fled for safety.”
The eyewitness added that the police were deployed to the scene but faced resistance from the armed herdsmen and their accomplices, who successfully retrieved the impounded cattle.
Chief Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Internal Security, confirmed the incident.
Har reported that a raid was conducted on Saturday morning, resulting in the arrest of several suspects.
“The Benue State Internal Security, in collaboration with the police, raided the Wadata abattoir and Awe Street in Makurdi on June 15, 2024, following the previous day’s assault and obstruction by hoodlums from Wadata after the Livestock Guards apprehended cattle grazing on farms along the riverbank but were attacked by about 60 armed youths at the Modern Market gate,” Har said.
He emphasized that the Anti-Open Grazing and Ranch Establishment Law is not targeted at the Fulani people but must be obeyed by all cattle breeders in the state. Har also expressed concern over the armed resistance by youths against state officials.
