By Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita
(MAKURDI—Renewed attacks by armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) have continued to claim Christian lives in Benue State, despite an early-warning alert issued on October 23, 2025, by TruthNigeria on the likelihood of escalating ethno-religious violence as the dry season approached and the River Benue receded. The alert warned that shrinking water levels could create easier access routes for armed groups reportedly moving from neighbouring Nasarawa State.
Benue, a predominantly Christian agrarian state of about 4.3 million people, is well known for its vast production of rice, maize, yam, cassava, beans, soya beans and fruits in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
For more than a decade, Christian farming communities in Benue and across the Middle Belt have suffered repeated attacks, kidnappings and killings attributed to armed Fulani militia. According to the Organization for Research and Freedom in Africa (ORFA), these groups have been responsible for an estimated 55,000 deaths in the last four years.
Renewed Killings in Gwer West
At least four Christians have been killed in two separate attacks between Wednesday, November 26, and Thursday, November 27, 2025, in Gwer West County (Local Government Area). Residents say the violence has persisted despite the presence of security forces in the area.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday at Gilin Ashi village, located behind Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Naka—the local government headquarters.
Eyewitnesses reported that about fifteen armed attackers speaking Fulfulde ambushed Christian farmers on their rice fields, shooting three dead on the spot.
The victims were identified as: Mr. Ioryer Kwaghkar, Ayila Atsar and Mr. Ukachi.
Several others sustained gunshot and machete injuries and were taken to various health facilities in Naka for treatment.
Eyewitness Account
An eyewitness, Kenneth Tivsue, who narrowly escaped the attack, told TruthNigeria that, he saw about 15-armed Fulani Militia, speaking Fufulde and chanting Allahu Akbar, launch the deadly assault before fleeing into nearby bushes.
“I was working in my rice farm at about 3:31 p.m. when I heard gunshots from a nearby field,” he said. “I ran and hid in the bush. I saw the attackers macheting some farmers after shooting them. After they left, some youths arrived and we recovered three bodies and evacuated the wounded to the hospital.”
Thursday’s killings occurred less than 24 hours after another Christian was murdered at Kula village, along the Naka–Makurdi road. The victim, a motorcyclist yet to be identified, was ambushed and killed on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Residents Express Frustration
Dr. Damian Attah, a resident of Naka and a security analyst in a phone interview with TruthNigeria, expressed deep frustration over the persistent attacks, especially those occurring close to military positions.
“This is what we face daily along the Makurdi–Naka Road,” he said. “The latest attack happened despite the presence of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian military in Kula village.”
Attah recalled hearing gunshots and Allahu Akbar chants from armed Fulani Jihadists while travelling between Naka and Makurdi. When he and others returned to the scene, they found the body of the slain motorcyclist.
“The attackers were armed men speaking Fulfulde and shouting Allahu Akbar. They were about ten in number,” he added.
Local Government Chairman Decries Insecurity
The Chairman of Gwer West County (Local Government Area), Victor Torzar Ormin, condemned the latest killings and expressed anger over the continued inability of security agencies to curb the violence.
“Armed Fulani Jihadists are crossing from Nasarawa through the River Benue to kill our people and occupy our land,” Ormin told TruthNigeria. “We alert the military ahead of these attacks, but the militia still strike successfully and escape. They have taken over all 15 council wards, yet there is no decisive action to dislodge them.”
Local officials say the unending attacks have forced numerous families to abandon their farms, worsening food insecurity in a region whose economy depends almost entirely on agriculture.
A Region Under Siege
Gwer West, a predominantly Christian county (area), located about 33 miles southwest of Makurdi, is heavily affected by the long-running violence in the Middle Belt. The county borders Doma county in Nasarawa State across the River Benue, a crossing point that community leaders say has become a major route for armed groups.
Residents fear that as the farming season progresses and water levels continue to drop that more communities may come under attack unless security forces take urgent action.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the latest incidents.
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita, are Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
