Past Friday 26 September, two farmers were slain in Naka, located in Gwer West Local Government Area, Benue State, following an attack by suspected armed herders. According to residents, the assailants opened fire while the men were working or travelling on farmland. (The bodies were found at the scene and later taken to Naka’s General Hospital mortuary.
Some local sources identify one of the victims as Tersue Felix Ape, who was ambushed in the Akpagher community. The state’s Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has reportedly launched an inquiry into the killings, and security forces are said to be conducting a manhunt.
This incident is not isolated. Similar attacks have been documented recently across Benue State. For example, Vanguard reported on 28 September 2025 that two middle-aged men, Tersee Ama and Anthony Embara, were killed in an ambush by suspected herdsmen in Abaji community, Katsina-Ala LGA. Also, Leadership News noted that in Abaji community, Kpav Ward, Katsina-Ala LGA, two men—Amah Terseer and Tony Emberga—were gunned down while returning from a neighbouring community event.
These recurring attacks intensify longstanding tensions between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, especially in Benue State. Past deadly raid clusters have drawn coverage from international agencies like AP News and Reuters, highlighting the broader context of insecurity and communal violence in this region.
SOURCE: Vanguard, AP
IMAGE: bbc
