Benue Under Siege: Renewed Killings Validate Ortom’s Warnings as Terror Disguised as Herding Rises Again

The escalating violence in Benue State has reignited urgent national concern, confirming long-standing warnings made by former Governor Samuel Ortom during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. At the time, Ortom's persistent outcry about the atrocities committed by suspected armed herders was widely dismissed by members of the then-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as political exaggeration or opposition propaganda.

Fast forward to 2025, the reality on ground is grim: over 100 people have reportedly been killed in renewed attacks across communities in Guma, Ukum, and other parts of Benue State. These attackers, often posing as herders, have continued to terrorize innocent civilians, razing villages and displacing thousands. 

Eyewitness reports and local leaders confirm that these are not isolated incidents but part of a sustained and coordinated campaign of terror. The violence is no longer deniable nor political — it is a humanitarian disaster that demands decisive national action.

Communities across the state are calling for urgent federal intervention, increased military presence, and an honest reassessment of the true identity and motives of those often labeled as "herders." These are well-armed operatives who operate with impunity and appear to have clear territorial intentions.

Ortom, once criticized for raising the alarm, now appears vindicated. The Benue killings are not just rural clashes — they are acts of terrorism that threaten national security, food security, and the unity of Nigeria itself.