By Queen Madaki
Otukpo, Benue State
Residents of Akpachi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have raised serious security and humanitarian concerns over the alleged occupation of their farmlands by more than 100 armed Fulani herdsmen.
The herdsmen are accused of forcefully occupying farmlands and destroying crops, a situation residents warn could lead to widespread hunger, displacement, and violent conflict if urgent intervention is not taken.
According to community members, the armed herders are reportedly laying siege to Akpachi, Otukpo, and neighbouring Ugobia communities, positioning themselves in nearby bushes and allegedly setting up ambushes ahead of possible attacks, sparking fear among locals.
SaharaReporters gathered that on January 10, the herders invaded farmlands belonging to Barrister Godwin Obla (SAN), burning and destroying crops spread across more than 152 hectares of land. The affected farms reportedly included rice, cassava, plantain, and cashew plantations.
The incident has forced many residents to abandon their farms and remain indoors for fear of being attacked, worsening food insecurity in the area.
Traditional Ruler Issues Ultimatum
Confirming the incident, the traditional ruler of Akpachi, Chief Samuel Alachenu Udenyi, described the destruction as “barbaric and unacceptable,” issuing an ultimatum for the herders to vacate the community immediately.
“We are aware that they have armed militia in the bush. We know they are there, but because of that, we will not run away from this community. It is better to stay and defend our land than to be called cowards tomorrow,” Chief Udenyi said.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged farmlands, the monarch disclosed that more than 152 hectares were affected by fire and grazing activities allegedly carried out by the herders.
According to him, preliminary findings showed that over 42 hectares of rice farms were razed, including harvested rice still under chaff. In addition, 54 hectares of cassava farms were destroyed, while about two hectares each of cashew and banana plantations were also burnt.
“So far, these are the damages recorded on just one farm. If you move around to other farms, you will not believe the scale of destruction,” he added.
Kidnapping, Fear, and Food Crisis Loom
Chief Udenyi stressed that Akpachi community is not a designated grazing area and insisted that no land was allocated to the herders by the community.
“Our land is not a grazing field. We did not give land to anyone to stay here, yet they are grazing freely on our farms,” he said.
The traditional ruler further revealed that the security situation has worsened with the reported kidnapping of a community member from a farm, who remains missing.
“Up till now, we have not seen the person, and no explanation has come from the herders’ leadership,” he said.
He warned that the destruction of farmlands is already crippling food production, as women can no longer access their farms to harvest crops, with cassava, beans, and rice farms destroyed by fire and cattle trampling.
Residents Reject Compensation, Demand Evacuation
Addressing reports of compensation offers, Chief Udenyi rejected any form of monetary settlement, insisting that evacuation of the herders—not compensation—is the only acceptable solution.
“We don’t want compensation. Someone destroys a farm worth millions and offers ₦40,000. This is unacceptable,” he said.
He also confirmed ongoing discussions with neighbouring traditional rulers facing similar challenges, noting that Akpachi and Otukpo communities both deny allocating land to the herders.
The monarch called on security agencies to act decisively, stressing that the community is aware of the armed presence in nearby bushes and warning that any attack would have known origins.
The Bureau News reports that residents are urging the Benue State Government and federal security agencies to urgently intervene to prevent further destruction, displacement, and possible bloodshed.
