Residents of several communities in Ondo, Benue, Nasarawa and Edo states are reeling from deadly attacks by suspected armed herders, sparking widespread outrage and protests.
A total of 30 people were reportedly killed in the series of attacks across the three states, with communities calling for urgent government intervention.
Nine surveyors were reportedly kidnapped in Ondo, while two residents were abducted, and four others suffered gun and machete wounds in Edo.
In Ondo, enraged women took to the streets of Akure on Monday, following the abduction of nine surveyors and the killings of villagers in Akure North Local Government Area.
Armed assailants reportedly stormed the communities of Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun, in the Akure North Local Government Area, at the weekend, leaving a trail of destruction and bloodshed.
Authorities have so far recovered at least 14 bodies, while search efforts continued, with a report that 20 villagers were killed.
In Benue, violent protests erupted in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Local Government, after three members of the state’s Civil Protection Guards were ambushed and killed by suspected herders.
The discovery of their bodies early Tuesday sparked a rampage by angry youths, who torched the palace of the local traditional ruler and parts of the local government secretariat.
Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the killings, urging security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice while calling for restraint among residents.
In Nasarawa State, a communal clash in the Farin Dutse community escalated into a full-blown crisis, leaving at least seven people dead, including a pregnant woman.
The conflict, which began as a dispute between local farmers and herders, quickly spiralled out of control, with houses, shops, and vehicles set ablaze.
The police have, however, arrested two suspects in connection with the violence, with security patrols in the area to prevent further bloodshed.
On Tuesday, Akure, the Ondo State capital, was brought to a standstill as hundreds of women took to the streets to protest the alleged kidnapping of nine surveyors in the Ilu Abo community, Akure North Local Government Area.
According to the protesters, the surveyors were abducted by gunmen who allegedly attacked them while working at a site in the local government.
The women, with leaves in their hands, converged on the Ijemikin area of the state capital and marched to the Government Secretariat at Alagbaka, chanting solidarity songs to express their dissatisfaction over the spate of insecurity in the state.
Mrs Oluwatoyin Arowosafe, who spoke with journalists during the protest, stated that some of them were relatives of the kidnapped surveyors.
She said the kidnappers had contacted the families and demanded a sum of N100m for their release.
“We want to call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to come to our rescue. Our men have been kidnapped since last Tuesday and the kidnappers are demanding N100m to release them, which we could not afford,” she said.
Addressing the women on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Bola Taiwo, blamed the surveyors for going to the site without security protection.
Taiwo said, “We shall speak with your leaders if they have reported the incident to the police. If they have not, they should go there and report, that’s when the government would act.
“Nowadays, surveyors going to the site should go with police escorts. If they do, no gunmen would abduct them. No one can kidnap anyone without internal collaborators.”
He asked the women to return to Ilu-Abo and continue to demand the release of the surveyors.
“You shall now go back to Ilu-Abo and cry out that those who abducted the surveyors should release them.
“No Hausa or Fulani man can come to Ilu-Abo and kidnap without the connivance of one of the natives.
“It is your people that kidnapped the nine surveyors. We will meet with your leaders and discuss with them,” he said.
The Ondo State governor and the regent of one of the affected communities in the weekend killing, Ademekun Community, Princess Kemisola Adelowo, disagreed over the killing in the border communities on Saturday.
The government, in a statement on Monday signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Gbenga Atiba, described the media report on the killings as fake news meant to create panic among the residents of the state.
On Tuesday, Atiba, on a radio programme in Akure, also dismissed the statement of the regent, insisting that the incident never happened as reported.
He said: “Security is everybody’s business. Our people want the government to come and build a police station in their homes. What are the farmers doing to protect themselves before calling on the government?
“The government’s role is to provide police stations and put officers there. The government gives money to all security agencies in this state every month for them to perform their roles.
“All the reported cases which happened in Oba-Ile are fake. The kidnapping of students of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, didn’t happen in Ondo State but in Ekiti State.”
Responding, the regent said, “When I called my people about what the government officials were saying that the incident didn’t happen, they were cursing, lamenting that it was unfortunate.
“I’m the regent of that community, and I came to town last Tuesday. I was told that someone called ‘Iron Body’ and some boys came to the community on Thursday.
“He introduced his team as ‘Commissioner Boys’ and was immediately confronted. He claimed he only came to seek their collaboration on how to prevent herdsmen and their cattle from entering the community.
“Not long after, the same ‘Iron Body’ and his boys went to the next village, started firing gunshots, and killed about a hundred cows. We became scared over the development.
“At midnight on Saturday, Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities, shooting and attacking anyone in sight in retaliation for the cows that were killed.
“They assumed we were responsible. Most of those killed were farmers from Taraba and Oyo states. They spared no one – they killed both old and young and also set buildings on fire.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, said the ongoing “covert operation” of the command would be intensified to flush criminals out of the state.
“The command is aware of the attack on Sunday Camp and the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, has directed that the ongoing ‘covert operation’ being carried out across the state to rid the command of bad elements be intensified,” the statement read.
A police source confirmed that policemen were deployed in the area on Sunday, adding that no fewer than 14 dead bodies had so far been recovered.
Irate youths thronged the major streets of Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday over the killing of three personnel of the state security operatives, codenamed Civil Protection Guards.
In their anger, they set fire to the palace of the traditional ruler of Naka, Ter Naka, parts of the local government secretariat, and properties belonging to private individuals.
Their anger arose after the bodies of the three operatives were brought to the council headquarters early Tuesday.
Sources from Naka said that as soon as the youth spotted the bodies of the personnel reportedly killed by suspected armed herders, a violent protest erupted.
The Chairman of the local government, Victor Omirin, confirmed the violent protest.
He said, “Yes, they razed the secretariat and the Ter Naka palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa, so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums.”
Speaking to our correspondent on the phone, the traditional ruler of Naka, Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the burning of his palace.
He said, “I was in Makurdi for a medical check-up only to be called early this morning that some hoodlums had burnt down my palace.
“I have to rush back only to discover that three vehicles and motorcycles as well as other valuables were burnt down.”
The spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the protest.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet, had left for Naka to assess the situation and promised to give details later.
As of the time of filing this report, she was yet to provide the details as demanded by our correspondent.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the killing of the three personnel of Civil Protection Guards and the protest that followed.
According to the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo and made available to journalists in Makurdi, on Tuesday, Alia decried the attack and murder of three operatives who he said “were on duty to protect our locals at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer-West Local Government.”
He described the attack by suspected marauding armed herders as a flagrant affront to the peace and security of the communities.
The statement quoted the governor as saying, “We appreciate the deep rage and frustration that has led to the anxiety at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West, including the regrettable burning of the LG secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi by protesters.
“While we empathise with the sentiments of our people, we advocate restraint and foresight in funnelling this anger.
“Destruction of our valuables simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.”
The governor called on all security agencies to intensify efforts in capturing the perpetrators of the heinous atrocity.
“It is essential that these marauding herdsmen be brought to justice and made to face the full wrath of the law,” the governor said.
He emphasised that his government was committed to enhancing security efforts to protect “our communities from further attacks.
“We implore all citizens to remain vigilant and collaborate with security agencies in reporting any unusual activities.
“In these trying moments, let us stand united against violence and strive for peace and justice in Benue State. Together, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer environment for all.”
The clash between farmers and herders in the Farin Dutse community of Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State claimed the life of a pregnant woman, Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn child.
A statement made available to journalists in Lafia on Tuesday by the state PPRO, Ramhan Nansel, said the crisis began among some youths and a herder in a bush located in the area.
It stated that the crisis later resulted in the tragic killing of one Friday Danladi Jike by a suspect identified as Sani Allah Gaba.
The police spokesman said, “On March 9, 2025, at about 1430hrs, one Yakubu Kaka of Farin Dutse reported the dispute to the Nasarawa State Police Command, and upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, swiftly deployed mobile police operatives in the scene, where they encountered a violent mob attempting to kill one Isa Alhaji.”
He further narrated that the victim was successfully rescued and taken to the General Hospital, Nasarawa, where his health situation was promptly brought under control.
“However, in the course of the intervention, the mob vandalised a police patrol vehicle and later set fire to a nearby Ruga settlement where the suspect, Sani, resided.
“This led to the unfortunate death of one Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn child.
“To restore peace, a stakeholders’ meeting was held with leaders from both communities.
“Consequently, two suspects, Usman Magaji, alongside one Hon Ibrahim Usman Kaka, who participated during the attack on the police and the attempted killing of the rescued victim, have been arrested for further investigation,” he added.
In a related development involving the same Farin Dutse community, the PPRO said on March 10, 2025, at about 0647 hrs, the District Head of Kurudu, a community in the area, placed a distress call, reporting an attack on the village by suspected herders.
He further noted that a swift response team led by the Divisional Police Officer of Nasarawa in the Nasarawa LG was deployed to the scene, adding that upon the arrival of officers of the command, the assailants were dislodged.
He said, “During the operation, three injured victims, Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel, and Johnson Maikasuwa, were rescued and taken to a medical centre for treatment.
“Tragically, six corpses were recovered and identified as Simeon Madaki, Ayawu Senior, Sunday Wa’azu, Vincent Sunday, Taimako Senior, and Filibus Jatau Mai’anguwa.
“Some houses, shops, motorcycles, and a car were also vandalised during the attack.”
Nansel added that to ensure law and order, the area had been reinforced with personnel from the Mobile Police of 69 PMF Toto, alongside other police operatives and the military, currently patrolling the vicinity.
He asked the people to remain calm, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of the unfortunate incident.
Two residents were abducted, and four others suffered gun and machete wounds as herders invaded the Dantata Life Camp in Aviele, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State at about 8 pm on Sunday.
An eyewitness who gave his name as Abu said the armed herders opened fire on the residents when they were about to break their fast.
He noted that one Mutairu Dauda who rebuffed the attack was hacked with a machete and shot.
He said, “I can confirm to you that killer herdsmen invaded the Dantata Life camp in Aviele, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State on Sunday night at about 8 pm.
“They opened fire on residents. A particular man who stood and fought with them as they were trying to either kill or kidnap him sustained various degrees of machete injury and they also shot him.
“His wife, daughter and mother-in-law also suffered a machete wound. Dauda, a furniture maker, is currently at Irrua Specialist Hospital receiving treatment.”
It was gathered that local vigilantes who went in search of the two abductees arrested two kidnappers and handed them over to the police.
Abu said some of the residents had been forced to abandon their homes after a series of similar attacks by the invaders in the past.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, in a message, simply said, “Will revert sir.”
The Nigeria Army has assured of a more enhanced security and safety in Ekiti State, with the advent of an Army formation – the 148 Battalion, in the state.
The outgoing Commander of 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Maj Gen Oluremi Fadairo, said the new formation would bring remarkable improvement to the security architecture of the state and the contiguous areas with Kogi and Ondo states.
Fadairo spoke in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, when he led other senior army officers, including the new Brigade Commander, 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Brig Gen Kasim Umar Sidi and the Commanding Officer of the new battalion and the Garrison Commander, 32 Brigade, Col Kyari Babakura, on a visit to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
They were in the state to assess the new barracks of the Nigeria Army in Ikere Ekiti, ahead of the deployment of personnel and equipment to the state.
The military chiefs expressed satisfaction with the location of the Army barracks in Ikere Ekiti and assured the governor that the deployment of personnel would commence at the temporary base immediately.
They also requested a bigger space to serve as a temporary abode for the deployed personnel.
Fadairo urged residents of the state “to give the military the required maximum support and cooperation to enable it to achieve its desired objective of curtailing all forms of insecurity in the state.”
He said the new formation was billed to take off in Ikere Ekiti with the commencement of deployment of personnel and materials to the state.
Oyebanji thanked the Nigerian Army for the new development, which he said would “further enhance safety and security in the state and further confirm Ekiti as the number one choice for people looking for where to live, work, relax and invest.”
The governor assured the army authorities of effective collaboration with the military to strengthen security and stamp out criminal elements from the state.
He said his government had been making frantic and conscious efforts to partner with all relevant security agencies to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties in the state.
Oyebanji said, “We are grateful to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for the approval to establish this battalion in Ekiti State.
“We are grateful to the Army command, under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, for doing this for us in the state.
“What you have done for us in Ekiti State is so dear to us. Ekiti State is peaceful, but we also have our own pockets of criminalities and the area where the battalion is cited is one of the most security-challenged places in the state.
“This is an effort that we will give maximum support to in a bid to ensure its early takeoff.
“You also see that immediately it was announced, we got the land from the community and so the people have taken ownership of the project,” the governor said. – Punch.
