The lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in Benue State, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, has raised alarm over the growing occupation of farmlands in the state by armed Fulani herdsmen, warning of a potential food crisis.
Speaking with journalists on Monday, Ugbor disclosed that over 40 percent of arable farmland in Benue is now under the control of Fulani militias, disrupting agricultural activities and threatening food production in the state and across Nigeria.
“The major problem with this issue is the food insecurity it will bring, especially on our people in Benue and Nigeria as a whole. Over 40 percent of the arable farmlands in Benue State have been taken over by Fulani bandits,” Ugbor said.
The lawmaker recounted a deadly attack on Christmas Day 2024, when armed herdsmen targeted Kwande Local Government Area, a border community with Cameroon. During the incident, the attackers razed an immigration outpost, which, despite its lack of defensive weaponry, served as a vital intelligence hub in the community.
“These bandits even crossed into Cameroon, where Cameroonian gendarmes intercepted and killed many of them. From the last count, we heard that about 13 bodies have been recovered,” Ugbor added.
He expressed concern over the plight of displaced farmers who can no longer access their land, leading to a significant drop in the state’s agricultural productivity.
The persistent attacks, he warned, pose a dire threat to food security in Nigeria, urging authorities to take immediate action to reclaim the occupied farmlands and restore peace to affected communities.
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