Ongoing Conflict in Ohimini: Cattle Breeders Seek Government Intervention
The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has raised urgent concerns over a series of violent attacks on its members in the Ohimini Local Government Area (LGA). The association, representing Fulani herders, has called for immediate intervention from both federal and state authorities to address what it describes as an escalating crisis.
In a statement released on Friday, signed by the state chairman, Ardo Muhammad, MACBAN accused members of the Awule community, along with personnel from the Benue State Volunteer Guard, of orchestrating attacks on Fulani herders’ settlements. According to Muhammad, the violence began towards the end of August 2025, when armed individuals from the Awule community, allegedly backed by the Volunteer Guard, launched a coordinated assault on these settlements.
During the attack, six Fulani settlements were completely destroyed, 30 cows were killed or stolen, and one herder, Mr. Isu Abdulkarim (known as Dere), was brutally murdered. His remains have not been recovered despite multiple search efforts by his family and community members.
Muhammad highlighted that the attacks have continued in recent weeks, resulting in further loss of livestock and the displacement of herders. He refuted claims that Fulani herders had attacked local farmers, insisting that the violence, burning of homes, and killings are being carried out by criminal elements within the LGA.
The ongoing conflict has created a climate of fear and tension among the Fulani communities in Ohimini and surrounding areas. Muhammad described the herders as peaceful and law-abiding citizens who are simply trying to earn a living. He urged the state governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, to direct security agencies to restore calm in the affected regions.
Additionally, Muhammad called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to investigate the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. He also requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials to displaced herders.
The MACBAN statement comes just days after four farmers were reportedly killed in the Awule community of Ohimini LGA by suspected armed herders. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini LGA, Gabriel Adole, stated that the state governor has been actively responding to the security situation in the area.
“The state governor has been responding to the security situation in my local government, and I’m already waiting to see him about the current development,” Adole said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Operation Whirl Stroke, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed in a separate statement that troops arrested three armed suspects during a patrol in Ohimini LGA on Wednesday. This arrest is seen as a step toward addressing the growing unrest in the region.
Key Concerns and Calls for Action
- Persistent Attacks: The MACBAN has reported ongoing attacks on Fulani herders, leading to significant loss of life and property.
- Displacement of Herders: Many herders have been forced to leave their homes due to the violence, creating a humanitarian crisis.
- Call for Government Intervention: The association has urged state and federal authorities to take decisive action to restore peace and protect the lives and properties of herders.
- Investigation into Violence: Authorities have been asked to investigate the attacks and hold those responsible accountable.
- Relief Efforts: There is a need for emergency relief supplies to support displaced herders and their families.
The situation in Ohimini continues to draw attention from various stakeholders, including local leaders and security agencies. As the conflict escalates, the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response becomes increasingly urgent. The Fulani herders, who have long been a vital part of the region’s economy, now find themselves at the center of a growing crisis that demands immediate attention and resolution.