Naka Residents Flee Over Sighting Suspected Herdsmen
Tension in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, on Sunday evening as residents fled in panic following reports of suspected armed Fulani herdsmen sighted around the community.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred amid heavy rainfall when news spread that armed men were seen lurking in nearby bushes. According to Akem Teryila Peter, a local rice mill operator who witnessed the commotion, men, women, and children were seen running through the streets and business areas in fear of a possible attack.
“It all started suddenly. People were shouting and running; even those in their shops abandoned everything,” Akem recounted.
Sources said the alarm was triggered after some women who had gone to relieve themselves in a nearby bush reportedly spotted armed men suspected to be herdsmen. The women were said to have quietly fled to avoid detection before alerting others, which led to the widespread panic that gripped the town.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed attacks or casualties, but residents have appealed to security agencies to urgently investigate the situation and ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.
Naka and surrounding communities in Gwer West have experienced recurrent security threats in recent years due to clashes between farmers and herders.
