Nine individuals, including farmers and national park operatives, were reportedly killed in separate attacks by bandits and herdsmen in Oyo and Benue States. The incidents occurred over the past week, raising renewed concerns about rural insecurity and the vulnerability of agricultural and conservation workers in affected areas.
Sources in Oyo State confirmed that the attacks were carried out by armed groups targeting remote farming communities. Local authorities reported that the assailants destroyed property, abducted livestock, and left several victims dead. The exact identities of the victims are being verified by state security agencies.
In Benue State, the attacks involved herdsmen who clashed with local farmers, resulting in additional casualties among both the farming and national park staff. Officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and local vigilante groups were deployed to contain the violence and secure the affected communities.
The incidents underscore ongoing challenges in protecting agricultural and environmental workers amid rising rural crime. Residents in the affected areas have called for increased security presence, better coordination between state and federal agencies, and urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.
Security agencies have reportedly begun investigations and patrols in the hotspots, while community leaders are appealing for dialogue and early warning systems to mitigate tensions between farmers and herders.
The attacks in Oyo and Benue reflect broader national concerns regarding rural insecurity, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable security solutions to safeguard livelihoods, protect natural reserves, and stabilize local communities.
