By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
Fresh waves of violence have once again plunged communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State into grief, fear and uncertainty, as residents decry what they describe as sustained attacks, growing insecurity and an unsettling silence from government authorities.
Local sources report that several lives have been lost, homes destroyed and families displaced in recent attacks, leaving survivors traumatised and struggling to cope with the aftermath.
Beyond statements issued at the local government level, affected communities say there has been no visible intervention from key emergency or relief agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Victims of the attacks lament that the injured have been left without adequate medical support, while displaced families continue to seek shelter, food and basic assistance on their own.
Many residents say the absence of immediate humanitarian response has deepened their suffering and raised questions about the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable rural communities.
Community leaders and residents have also expressed concern over what they describe as repeated attacks occurring without decisive action from security authorities.
They argue that the recurring nature of the violence points to a failure of preventive security measures and intelligence, warning that continued inaction could further destabilise the area.
Kwande, historically known for its resilience, agricultural strength and communal unity, is now grappling with fear and loss as villages struggle to rebuild amid uncertainty.
Residents say the continued silence from higher levels of government has created a sense of abandonment and eroded public confidence in state protection.
Despite the pain and devastation, community voices insist that Kwande’s spirit remains unbroken. Many believe that with sincere intervention, justice for victims and a renewed commitment to security and relief efforts, the area can recover from the current crisis.
They are therefore calling on the Federal and Benue State governments to urgently deploy security reinforcements, provide humanitarian assistance, and address the root causes of the violence, warning that peace cannot be sustained where suffering is ignored and citizens are left to mourn alone.
