Suspected Herdsmen Set Rice Farm Ablaze in Benue Community, Destroy Crops Worth Millions

A large rice farm in the Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State was reportedly set ablaze on Sunday afternoon, November 2, by suspected herdsmen. The incident left behind extensive damage and losses estimated in the millions of naira.

The farm, owned by a local farmer identified as Mr Ugbakayaa, was located at Tse Orbiam along the Naka to Makurdi road. Witnesses said the fire spread across several hectares of cultivated land and destroyed both standing crops and rice that had already been harvested and packed for threshing.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Ado Bartholomew, the fire started suddenly and quickly overwhelmed the farm.

"The whole farm went up in flames within minutes. All the rice that was harvested and packed for threshing was destroyed," Bartholomew said. He described the event as a devastating blow to the family.

Members of the Ugbakayaa family, who depend largely on the farm for their livelihood, were said to be in shock over the destruction. Locals described the incident as another tragic reminder of the ongoing insecurity that has affected rural communities in Benue State.

Residents and sympathizers who visited the site condemned what they called a recurring pattern of attacks on farmers in the region. Many expressed frustration over the government's inability to curb the persistent violence attributed to armed herdsmen.

"We can no longer farm in peace. Every season, farmers lose their crops or their lives to these attacks," one resident said. They called for a stronger security presence in Gwer West.

The Benue State government and local security authorities had not released an official statement at the time of filing this report. Community leaders are urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice for the victims.

The attack comes amid growing concerns about farmer and herder conflicts in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria's Middle Belt. Clashes over land, grazing routes and food security continue to threaten livelihoods and stability in the region.