Rice Farms Torched in Campaign to Bankrupt Christian Farmers
By Ekani Olikita
(Makurdi)— Christian farmers in Benue State have raised alarm over widespread destruction of farmlands across Guma, Gwer-West and Agatu Counties by armed Fulani militias
They are warning that hunger and displacement may soon overwhelm affected communities if no action is taken to thwart the ugly trend.
Residents accuse the attackers of deliberately targeting farms during harvest season in what they describe as a strategy to starve local populations after years of violent attacks, kidnappings and killings in the state.
In Gwer West County (Local Government Area), a 400-hectare rice farm belonging to Agbucity Farm Nigeria Limited in Onmbaagbu community, Tyoughatee/Ijaha Precinct (council ward), was burned down on Sunday, January 11, 2026
The farm’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Tiza Tarnongo in an interview with TruthNigeria Correspondent said, workers arrived at the farm around 10 a.m. to harvest rice only to discover flames spreading rapidly across the fields.
“We tried to put out the fire, but the intensity was overwhelming. Within 30 minutes, the entire farm was destroyed,” Tarnongo recounted.
He described the incident as part of a broader campaign to cripple food production. “By burning farms across Benue, they believe hunger and starvation will weaken our people. But this strategy of conquest and subjugation will fail,” he told TruthNigeria.
Additional cases of farm destruction have been reported across Benue in recent months.
On December 28, 2025, two armed men reportedly invaded a rice farm owned by Makir Washima Lawrence along the River Benue bank in Guma, chased farmers away, and set the fields on fire h
Similarly, on November 2, 2025, armed attackers stormed Tse-Orbiam community in Gwer West, firing sporadically before torching a large rice farm belonging to Stephen Ugbakyaa
Traditional Ruler Raises Alarm
The Traditional Ruler of Gwer West, Chief Daniel Abomtse, has condemned what he described as systematic destruction of farmlands across rural communities.
Chief Abomtse said his own farm was invaded and destroyed in August 2025 and warned that continued attacks could trigger widespread hunger.
Speaking in a phone interview with TruthNigeria on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Chief Abomtse said; “This is clear evidence that starvation is being used as a weapon against our people. Farms are being eaten, destroyed and burned across communities in all 15 wards (precincts) of Gwer West,” he lamented.
Christian Local Governance Areas Threatened
Guma (Gbajimba), Gwer-West (Naka) and Agatu (Obagaji) are predominantly Christian, agrarian and riverine counties, bordering Nasarawa State across the River Benue and have suffered repeated attacks by Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) since 2013, leading to the death and displacement of thousands of residents.
Fulani Ethnic Militia have been linked to thousands of deadly attacks across Nigeria. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, Fulani militants were responsible for killing almost 24,000 civilians in the 4-year reporting period, making the conflict one of the deadliest in the country’s recent history.
Guma: Guinea Corn Farm Destroyed
In Guma County (Local Government Area), Paul Kyungun, a young Christian farmer from Nzorov precinct (ward), told TruthNigeria Correspondent that, his nine-hectare guinea corn farm was destroyed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
According to him, five armed men posing as herders invaded the farm with 50 cattle, allowing the animals to graze on harvested crops before setting the field ablaze.
“They want to starve us into submission, believing a hungry people cannot resist. They will not succeed,” Kyungun said.
Communities Under Occupation
Guma Youth Leader Tivta Samuel, described the situation after touring rural communities on January 16, 2026, as “pathetic and alarming.”
He alleged that many farms have been destroyed and villages occupied, with attackers feeding cattle on remaining crops before burning them.
“Wards such as Uvir, Mbadwem, Nzorov, and Saghev are affected. Villages including Ukyongu, Ahentse, Tse Iordye, Apera, Akuroko, Tse Usenda, Tse Orkar, Nungwaji, Nevkaa, and Tom-Anyiin are under occupation,” Samuel told TruthNigeria.
He appealed for urgent intervention, warning that residents who remain in the communities now live under threats and directives imposed by armed groups.
Agatu: Yam and Cassava Farms Ravaged
In Agatu County (Local Government Area), Mr. Edor Seidu of Odugbeho community narrated how his yam and cassava farms were destroyed on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
“I went to harvest after church service and saw over 100 cattle grazing on my farm, guarded by three armed men. When I protested, they threatened to kill me. The farm was completely burnt down when I returned on Monday to check it,” he told TruthNigeria.
Growing Fear of Food Crisis
Residents say the pattern of farm destruction has escalated during harvest season, raising fears of food shortages and worsening humanitarian conditions in already-displaced communities.
Local leaders and farmers are urging security agencies and authorities to act urgently to protect farmlands, prevent further destruction, and enable displaced residents to return safely to their communities.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
