SUNTV Global Channel | Benue State
January 26, 2026
News
Residents of Akpachi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State have raised serious security and humanitarian concerns over the alleged presence of more than 100 armed Fulani herdsmen, accusing them of forcefully occupying farmlands and destroying crops worth millions of naira.
Community leaders warn that the escalating situation could trigger widespread hunger, displacement, and violent conflict if urgent action is not taken.
According to residents, the herdsmen have reportedly laid siege to Akpachi, Otukpo, and neighbouring Ugobia communities, positioning themselves in surrounding bushes and allegedly setting up ambush points, a development that has sparked fear and panic among locals.
SUNTV Global Channel gathered that on January 10, the suspected herders invaded farmlands belonging to Barrister Godwin Obla (SAN), where crops cultivated across over 152 hectares were reportedly burned and destroyed. The affected farmlands included rice, cassava, plantain, banana, and cashew plantations.
The incident has forced many residents to abandon their farms and remain indoors over fears of possible attacks.
Confirming the incident, the traditional ruler of Akpachi, Chief Samuel Alachenu Udenyi, described the destruction as “barbaric and unacceptable” and issued an ultimatum demanding that the herders vacate the community immediately.
Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged farmlands, Chief Udenyi disclosed that preliminary findings showed extensive losses caused by fire and grazing activities.
“Over 42 hectares of rice farms, including harvested rice still under chaff, were razed. About 54 hectares of cassava farms were destroyed, while two hectares each of cashew and banana plantations were also affected,” he said.
“These are damages recorded on just one farm. If you visit other farms, you will be shocked by the scale of destruction.”
The monarch stressed that Akpachi 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, yet they are grazing freely on our farms,” he stated.
Chief Udenyi further revealed that the security situation worsened with the abduction of a community member from a farm, noting that the victim remains missing.
“Up till now, we have not seen the person, and no explanation has come from the herders’ leadership,” he added.
The traditional ruler warned that food production in the area is already being crippled, with women and farmers unable to access their farmlands.
“Hunger is increasing day by day. Women cannot go to the farms to harvest. Cassava and beans farms have been destroyed — some by fire, others by cattle trampling and grazing,” he said.
He confirmed that discussions are ongoing with neighbouring traditional rulers facing similar challenges, stressing a united stance against the continued occupation.
“I have spoken with another chief, and we share the same view. We do not want them on our land,” he said.
Chief Udenyi also questioned who granted the herders access to the disputed land, noting that both Akpachi and Otukpo communities deny allocating land to them.
“They are staying between our land and Otukpo. Otukpo says they did not give them land, and we did not. Whoever gave them this land must be exposed,” he said.
He alleged that security agencies are aware of the armed presence in nearby bushes and disclosed that mobile police officers have been deployed to the area.
“They should know that we are aware they have people in the bush with guns. Whatever happens to us, we know where it is coming from,” he warned.
Rejecting compensation offers, the monarch insisted that evacuation, not monetary settlement, is the only acceptable solution.
“Someone destroys a farm worth millions and offers ₦40,000 — that is unacceptable. We don’t want compensation; we want them to leave,” he said.
Lamenting the deteriorating relationship with herders over the years, Chief Udenyi noted that peaceful coexistence once existed.
“The Fulani we lived with years ago are different from what we are experiencing now. Farms were not destroyed then,” he said.
He concluded by calling on the herders to vacate Akpachi land immediately to allow peace, farming activities, and normal life to return to the community.
