Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on security agencies to bring an end to the escalating violence in Benue State after a deadly wave of attacks claimed over 200 lives in multiple communities last week. During his visit to the troubled state, the President met with victims and pledged the government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent violence.

In a bid to restore peace, Tinubu announced the formation of a committee comprising four former governors of Benue and two top-ranking traditional rulers. The panel is tasked with driving long-term peace efforts in the region, which has been a flashpoint of conflict for years.

The recent violence is part of a long-standing conflict between herders and farmers in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. According to security analyst Kabir Adamu of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, over 1,000 people have been killed in Benue between May 2023 and May 2025 alone. These killings are part of a broader pattern of unrest that has claimed the lives of thousands, including civilians and members of the security forces.

At the heart of the crisis is the competition for land and resources. Herders, predominantly from the Fulani ethnic group, move in search of pasture for their livestock, often clashing with local farmers who accuse them of destroying crops and polluting water sources. Some herders are armed, claiming the need for protection against cattle rustlers. However, this has led to violent confrontations and cycles of retaliation.

While some accuse Fulani herders of being behind the killings, Fulani community leader Baba Othman Ngelzarma denied their involvement, saying, “Our people are not behind the Benue killings. There are long-standing issues in the state, but we have never supported attacks or killings.”

Although authorities have refrained from publicly attributing blame, violence in the region is typically fueled by revenge attacks, deepening mistrust and insecurity among communities.

Experts point to environmental degradation and climate change as key drivers of the conflict. Desertification and irregular rainfall in northern Nigeria are pushing herders further south into regions like Benue, where land and water resources are already under pressure. The rapid growth of local populations has only intensified the scramble for limited resources, creating fertile ground for conflict.

James Ayatse, the traditional leader of the Tiv community a predominantly farming group told President Tinubu that the killings are not random but part of an orchestrated plan to seize land. “This is not a farmer-herder clash or communal skirmish. It’s a deliberate, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign that has lasted for decades,” he stated.

Religious tensions also compound the crisis, as the mostly Muslim Fulani herders interact with Christian farming communities. This adds a complex layer to an already volatile situation.

Despite several government attempts to curb the violence, including the launch of a federal joint task force in 2018 and a more recent Forest Guards initiative, the situation remains dire. The Forest Guards are designed to secure forest reserves from armed groups, but their effectiveness is yet to be proven.

Public affairs analyst Sam Philip, based in Makurdi, believes the federal government has not paid sufficient attention to the Benue crisis. “Other security issues like Boko Haram, separatist agitations, and mass kidnappings have taken priority, leaving the Benue conflict to fester,” he said.

According to Mr. Adamu, any sustainable solution must include both security and economic strategies. He recommends deploying intelligence-based special forces to Benue with a sustained and flexible mandate. In addition, he advocates for the establishment of designated grazing areas to prevent clashes and ensure fairness for all parties.

Although former President Muhammadu Buhari once proposed a similar initiative, it was rejected by many southern states who viewed it as an attempt to allocate their land to Fulani herders.

The Benue conflict highlights the broader issues of land rights, national security, and social cohesion in Nigeria. As violence continues, the need for inclusive policies, long-term planning, and open dialogue becomes increasingly urgent. The nation and especially the people of Benue await real action beyond promises.