Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community, Burn Rice Farm Worth Millions

A large rice farm in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State was reportedly set ablaze on Sunday afternoon, November 2, 2025, by suspected herdsmen, leaving massive destruction in its wake.

The farm, owned by Mr. Ugbakayaa, was located at Tse Orbiam along the Naka–Makurdi road. Eyewitnesses said the inferno engulfed several hectares of cultivated land, destroying both standing crops and already harvested rice packed for threshing.

According to an eyewitness, Mr. Ado Bartholomew, the fire spread rapidly and consumed everything within minutes.

“The whole farm went up in flames within minutes. All the rice that was harvested and packed for threshing was destroyed,” Bartholomew said, describing the incident as a devastating loss for the family.

The Ugbakayaa family, whose livelihood depended largely on the rice farm, was left in shock and despair following the destruction.

Residents and sympathizers who visited the scene condemned the recurring attacks on farmers in the area, lamenting the growing insecurity that has crippled agricultural activities across Benue State.

They appealed to the Nigerian government and security agencies to step up efforts to protect farmers in Gwer West and other vulnerable communities who have faced persistent assaults and displacement linked to armed herdsmen.

As of the time of filing this report, security operatives had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.