At least nine people, including farmers and National Park operatives, have been killed in separate attacks by bandits and herdsmen in Oyo and Benue states, according to local authorities and community leaders. The incidents, which occurred over the past weekend, have sparked renewed concern over security challenges in rural and forested areas of Nigeria.
In Oyo State, the attack reportedly targeted farmers in a remote community near the border with Kwara State. Eyewitnesses said armed men on motorcycles stormed the farms in the early hours, killing five farmers and looting food supplies. The Oyo State Police Command confirmed the attack, with a spokesperson stating that security operatives have been deployed to the area to prevent further incidents and apprehend the culprits.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, four National Park operatives were killed while attempting to intervene in clashes between herders and local farmers in the Kwande local government area. The operatives were reportedly ambushed while patrolling the park to prevent illegal grazing and preserve wildlife. Local authorities condemned the attack, highlighting the increasing risk faced by security personnel tasked with protecting natural reserves.
Community leaders in both states have urged the federal and state governments to strengthen security presence and engage local communities in proactive conflict resolution strategies. The killings have raised concerns about the widening scope of banditry and herder-farmer clashes, which continue to claim lives and disrupt livelihoods in several regions.
Authorities are investigating the incidents and have appealed to residents to provide intelligence that could help track down the attackers. The Oyo and Benue state governments have also called for urgent collaboration between security agencies, traditional rulers, and local vigilante groups to enhance early warning systems and prevent future tragedies.
These attacks are part of a broader pattern of insecurity affecting rural communities across Nigeria, where farmers, park rangers, and residents face mounting threats from armed criminal groups. Analysts warn that without sustained intervention and comprehensive security strategies, similar incidents are likely to persist, exacerbating human and economic losses in affected states.
The Oyo and Benue state police commands continue to reassure citizens that investigations are ongoing and that measures are being taken to restore safety and protect lives in vulnerable areas.
