Armed Fulani militia have killed five Christian farmers in Nigeria’s Benue State, defying a recent government crackdown aimed at restoring security in the region. The attack took place in Tse-Antieven village in Gwer-West County, where gunmen reportedly arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on villagers working in their fields.
Local sources confirmed that three men and two women were killed instantly, while several others were injured and one person remains missing. Residents described the assault as swift and coordinated, raising concerns over the continued vulnerability of rural communities despite nearby security presence.
The killings come shortly after state authorities ordered the dismantling of militia camps across Benue’s forests following earlier deadly attacks. However, locals say enforcement has been weak, allowing armed groups to continue operating freely. Community leaders have called for stronger and more proactive security measures to protect farmers and prevent further violence.
In a separate development, security forces rescued 13 kidnapped students who had been abducted earlier in the week along a major highway. The victims were freed during a joint operation, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region.
The incidents underscore the worsening security crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where repeated attacks have displaced communities and made farming increasingly dangerous.