The herdsmen are accused of occupying farmlands and destroying crops, a situation the residents warn could lead to hunger, displacement, and violent conflict.
Residents of Akpachi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have raised grave security and humanitarian concerns over the presence of more than 100 allegedly armed Fulani herders.
The herdsmen are accused of occupying farmlands and destroying crops, a situation the residents warn could lead to hunger, displacement, and violent conflict.
The residents alleged that the armed Fulani militia are currently laying siege to Akpachi, Otukpo, and Ugobia communities, reportedly positioning themselves in nearby bushes and setting up ambushes ahead of possible attacks sparking widespread fear among locals.
SaharaReporters gathered that on January 10, the herders invaded farmlands belonging to Barrister Godwin Obla (SAN), burning and destroying crops spread across over 152 hectares of land. The affected farmlands reportedly included rice, cassava, plantain, and cashew plantations.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, forcing many residents to abandon their farms and remain indoors for fear of being attacked.
Confirming the incident, the traditional ruler of Akpachi, Chief Samuel Alachenu Udenyi, described the destruction as “barbaric and unacceptable,” issuing an ultimatum for the herders to vacate the community immediately.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged farmlands, Chief Udenyi disclosed that more than 152 hectares of farmland were affected by fire and grazing activities allegedly carried out by the herders.
“We are aware that they have armed militia in the bush. We know they are there, but because of that, we will not run away from this community,” the chief said.
“It is better to stay and defend our land than to be called cowards tomorrow.”
According to him, preliminary reports showed that over 42 hectares of rice farmland were razed, including harvested rice still under chaff. In addition, 54 hectares of cassava farms were destroyed, while about two hectares each of cashew and banana plantations were also burnt.
“So far, these are the damages recorded on just one farm. If you move around to other farms, you will not believe the scale of destruction,” he said.
Chief Udenyi stressed that Akpachi community is not a designated grazing area and insisted that no land was allocated to the herders by the community.
“Our land is not a grazing field. We did not give land to anyone to stay here, yet they are grazing freely on our farms,” he said.
He further revealed that the security situation has worsened with the kidnapping of a community member from a farm, who remains missing.
“Up till now, we have not seen the person, and no explanation has come from the herders’ leadership,” he added.
The traditional ruler warned that the destruction of farmlands is already crippling food production and threatening livelihoods in the area.
“Hunger is increasing day by day. Women cannot go to the farms to harvest their crops. Cassava and beans farms have been destroyed some by fire, others by cattle trampling and feeding on them,” he said.
Addressing concerns about regional collaboration, Chief Udenyi confirmed that discussions are ongoing with neighboring traditional rulers facing similar challenges.
“I have been in talks with another chief, and he shares the same view. We do not want them on our land,” he said.
However, he expressed confusion over who granted the herders access to the disputed land, noting that both Akpachi and neighbouring Otukpo communities deny allocating land to them.
“They are staying between our land and Otukpo. Otukpo says they did not give them land, and we did not. So we want to find out who did. Whoever gave them this land must be exposed,” he said.
Chief Udenyi also alleged that security agencies are aware of the armed presence in nearby bushes, adding that mobile police officers have been deployed in the area.
“They should know that we are aware they have people in the bush with guns. Whatever happens to us, we know where it is coming from,” he warned.
He rejected compensation offers for the destroyed farmlands, insisting that evacuation not monetary settlement is the solution.
“We don’t want compensation. Someone destroys a farm worth millions and offers ₦40,000 this is unacceptable,” he said.
The chief lamented the deterioration in relations with herders over the years.
“The Fulani we cohabited with years ago are different from the ones we have now. Farms were not destroyed then,” he said.
He called on the herders to vacate Akpachi land immediately to allow peace to return to the community.