By Prosper Mene
Women in Benue State are raising the alarm over a growing problem, as constant attacks by suspected armed herders have left communities shattered, with many women widowed and families displaced. The latest wave of violence, reported on June 2, 2025, claimed at least 43 lives in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas, adding to the number of deaths and destruction in the region.
According to local accounts, the herders’ invasions have not only claimed lives but also destroyed farmlands, livelihoods, and entire communities. Women, now bearing the burden of raising families alone, describe their villages as “communities of widows,” with husbands, brothers, and sons killed in the ongoing violence. “We are left to fend for ourselves, with no protection and no justice,” one woman from Gwer West told reporters, heavy with grief.
The attacks have become a recurring pattern in Benue, a state long plagued by clashes between farmers and herders. In February 2024, armed herders reportedly killed 16 farmers in a single community, only to return days later to slaughter more. Despite calls for security intervention, locals say the government’s response has been inadequate, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks. “We have only one option: defend ourselves or get extinct,” one resident posted on Social media, citing a growing sentiment of desperation and helplessness.
Benue farmers have appealed for urgent government and security action to stop the invasions and protect their lands. Women’s groups are also demanding support for the widows, who face mounting economic and emotional hardship. The people of Benue wait for solutions, fearful that without decisive action, their communities may never recover.
