~Lawmakers Sound Alarm as Killings, Land Grabs, and Food Crisis Grip Benue State
In a stirring and emotional address at a recent press conference in Abuja, Hon. Terseer , a member of the House of Representatives, raised serious concerns over the escalating crisis in Benue State, attributing widespread killings and land encroachment to suspected Fulani herdsmen. According to the lawmaker, over 40% of the state’s arable farmland has now fallen into the hands of armed bandits, triggering a humanitarian and food security catastrophe.
Ugbor, who represents Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency in the heart of Benue—a state known as Nigeria’s “Food Basket”—warned that the continued inaction of federal authorities is pushing the region to the brink of collapse. He called on President Bola Tinubu and national security agencies to treat the matter as a national emergency.
“As a legislator, it is my solemn duty to advocate for my constituents, to champion their rights, and to persistently intervene to alleviate their hardships,” Ugbor declared. “What we are witnessing in Benue today is a systematic campaign of terror and displacement. Innocent men, women, and children are being slaughtered, entire communities are being wiped out, and our farmland—the lifeline of our economy—is being forcefully taken over.”
The lawmaker stated that independent investigations and reports from local communities confirm that more than 40% of productive farmland in Benue has been seized by armed herdsmen over the past few years. He said these activities have intensified in recent months, displacing thousands and contributing significantly to a sharp decline in food production.
“We are facing the worst chapter in the history of Benue State,” Ugbor lamented. “Farmers can no longer access their lands for fear of being killed. Entire villages have been deserted. Children are growing up in IDP camps instead of classrooms, and the once-thriving agricultural sector is in ruins.”
Ugbor appealed to President Tinubu to order an immediate and comprehensive security operation in the affected areas to reclaim the occupied lands and restore peace to the region. He also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other humanitarian bodies to increase support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are languishing in camps with limited access to food, clean water, and healthcare.
“Benue cannot walk this dark path alone. We need urgent federal intervention. We need boots on the ground, intelligence in the air, and compassion in the halls of power,” he said.
The Benue lawmaker warned that the situation, if left unchecked, could have severe repercussions for national food security. Benue produces a significant portion of Nigeria’s grains, yams, and other staple crops. With large portions of land rendered inaccessible, the ripple effects are already being felt in markets across the country.
Experts agree that prolonged displacement and insecurity in agrarian communities will deepen hunger and poverty, not only in Benue but throughout Nigeria. According to local reports, food prices in the region have surged by over 50% in the past year, with fears that worse is yet to come.
Hon. Ugbor ended his address with a passionate call for unity, justice, and leadership in the face of growing instability.
“This is not just a Benue problem—it is a Nigerian problem. We must not allow ethnic or political sentiments to cloud our judgment. What we need is action, and we need it now. The lives of our people, the future of our children, and the integrity of our nation depend on it.”
As the crisis deepens, eyes are now on the federal government to respond decisively. For the people of Benue, time is running out—and their lawmaker’s voice grows louder, echoing a cry for justice in the halls of power.
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